2021: Data, Climate, and Solutions-IISD
At this time of year, we find it instructive to look back at our most read stories for 2021. This look back reminds us how far we have come and helps to set our agenda for the following year.
All publications from the years 2008 to 2019 can be found here on our old website
2021
Scientists Issue Roadmap to Protect Earth as Safe Operating Space-IISD
The International Science Council convened a process to reorient funding for scientific research and institutional arrangements to support needed societal transformations. The resulting report sets out a roadmap for the production of actionable knowledge in five areas that pose the most risk to the Earth as a “safe operating space” within ten or 20 years.
Latest Round of National Reports Emphasize Efforts on SDGs 3, 5 and 8-IISD
The 2021 HLPF convened in a hybrid format from 6-15 July under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Leading up to the session, 42 governments had conducted VNRs, and they presented on these processes during the Forum. The DESA report notes that these governments recognized the second year of the pandemic as “a crucial time to conduct a VNR, in order to align their efforts towards a resilient recovery.”
New book details best approaches to Adaptive Collaborative Management in forests - CIFOR
For three scientists who have authored a new book titled Adaptive Collaborative Management in Forest Landscapes: Villagers, Bureaucrats and Civil Society (Routledge, 2022), it represents the conjoining of their disparate but likeminded visions and guiding strategic principles for Adaptive Collaborative Management (ACM) in forest landscapes and resource management.
Tenure and governance research: Build on accomplishments under PIM to meet SDGs-CIFOR
Secure tenure and effective governance are central to the future of natural resources and agriculture. Although important on their own, tenure and governance are also embedded in the solutions to key global challenges: climate change; environmental management; poverty; gender equity and women’s empowerment; and nutrition and health.
Ensuring REDD+ finance delivers fair finance and benefits to meet climate goals – CIFOR
Establishing standards for measuring, monitoring and assigning financial value to forest-related greenhouse gas emissions is a challenging process due to the wide range of variables at play, said delegates attending the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.
Change of management at UNIDO: Gerd Müller succeeds Director General Li Yong – UNIDO
VIENNA, 30 November 2021 – Gerd Müller, Germany’s acting Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, is set to take office as the new Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Global study reveals that Indigenous lands protect tropical forests from deforestation - SHEFFIELD
A team of researchers led by the University of Sheffield has discovered that rates of deforestation and degradation in tropical forests are lower in Indigenous lands compared to other areas. The findings, published in Nature Sustainability, show that across the tropics, Indigenous lands had a fifth less deforestation on average compared to non-protected areas, and in Africa, Indigenous Lands reduce deforestation more effectively than protected areas.
The Congo Basin: Eight grants totaling $105.05 million were made to create more than 11 million hectares of new protected areas
The Congo Basin. The Congo Basin is home to 70% of Africa’s forests and is one of the most important places for biodiversity and carbon stocks on the planet—yet only 17% of the area is protected today. Each year, large areas are lost to deforestation, while remaining forests are degraded by logging, mining, agriculture, the building of new roads, fuelwood collection, hunting, and other pressures.
9th FSC Congo Basin Community Newsletter
With this newsletter we would like to inform you about some of the current activities of FSC on behalf of the FSC Congo Basin team, and furthermore interest you with the actualities relevant to the tropical timber trade and our network partners.
The CBFP Facilitator of the Federal Republic of Germany, Honorable Dr. Christian Ruck co-hosts a press conference with the President of COMIFAC on the Congo Basin’s involvement to the COP26 Climate in Glasgow
A press conference was held on Friday 17 December 2021, at 10 a.m. at the Djeuga Palace Hotel to discuss the involvement of COMIFAC countries and partners in COP 26 in Glasgow, UK. This press conference was co-hosted by the CBFP Facilitator of the Federal Republic of Germany, His Excellency Dr. Christian Ruck, and the current Chairman of the COMIFAC Council of Ministers, His Excellency Mr. Jules Doret NDONGO, Minister of Forests and Wildlife of Cameroon.
PASTORALISM IN EASTERN CENTRAL AFRICA: Implications for State, Society and the Environment
This report provides a technical analysis of pastoral dynamics in the region to support the development of adaptive management approaches. Rooted in genuine engagement, it presents a series of recommendations for regional actors and NGOs involved in pastoralism.
Cameroon Says New Clashes Kill at Least 10, Displace Hundreds – VOANEWS
Cameroonian authorities say clashes between ranchers and fishers have left at least ten people dead and scores wounded Monday, forcing hundreds to flee into neighboring Chad. The clashes in Cameroon’s north broke out over water scarcity, a problem that authorities have struggled to address.
FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreements 2.0 – FERN
This discussion document gathers the views and perspectives of timber-producing country stakeholders on the EU’s policies to protect tropical forests and forest communities. It highlights potential innovations and revisions to the VPA model, and options to ensure its full integration into and contribution towards global action against deforestation.
Climate Governance Newsletter - 2nd Edition 2021
A lot has happened since we were last in touch. Most importantly, after a year’s delay, COP26 finally took place. Debate continues on whether it was a good COP or a bad COP, but we made sure voices from over 15 countries were heard as they made this demand: stop corruption from diluting climate action. Before finishing up with 2021, let’s take a glance at our activities around the world.
Lobi, the art of writing the future - Interholco
03.12.2021. INTERHOLCO is proud to present Lobi, the spearhead of its first collection made from FSC®* certified Sustainable Hardwood, Made in Africa according to the most demanding socio-environmental criteria. Lobi means 'tomorrow' and 'future' in the broadest sense; the name is derived from Lingala, the most widely used language in Congo Basin countries.
This report reinforces the "Fair Deal" and "Fair Share" for the protection of the Congo Basin Forests which is the largest net positive tropical carbon sink in the world...
...and at the same time to contribute to "Saving" the planet with those 80 billion tons of CO2 Stored and which could come from the emissions of the intense industrial period ... Joint the "Fair Deal" Alliance to protect the Congo Basin rainforest...
« Fair Deal, Fair Share » Congo Basin : The Congo Basin becomes the world’s first tropical carbon sink
Today, despite their comparatively smaller area, the undisturbed forests in Central African of the Congo Basin now absorb more carbon than in the Amazon and Southeast Asia combined, and is thus the most important tropical carbon sink to date.
COP 26 – GIZ-COMIFAC-PFBC: Ministers from Central African countries around Ms. Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven, Director General of the GIZ Presidium (Vorstand) - German GIZ Cooperation celebrated
COP 26, Glasgow, 8 November 2021, held a High-Level Side Event in the COMIFAC Congo Basin Initiative Pavilion on the theme: "Nature-based solutions as means of conservation and sustainable management of Congo Basin Forest landscapes for climate change mitigation.” This high-level event between ministers of the Congo Basin countries and representatives of development agencies was attended by Ms. Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven, Director General of the GIZ Presidium (Vorstand).
News & stories from Solange: Newsletter November 2021
After the removal of the Salonga National Park from the list of World Heritage in Danger last July, another piece of good news has come to mark the life of the park in this year 2021. Indeed, a new partnership agreement on the Salonga National Park concluded between the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation and the WWF will bring the collaboration between the two institutions to the phase of the implementation of an even more effective management framework to better address the specific challenges of the largest park in Africa.
COP 26 – A landmark event on financing: High Level Political Dialogue between COMIFAC countries and donor countries.
His Excellency Honorable Dr. Christian Ruck, Goodwill Ambassador and CBFP Facilitator of the Federal Republic of Germany, testifies about the participation of technical and financial partners in the consultative process that led to the Declaration of Commitment by COMIFAC Member States for Central Africa Forests and call for equitable financing and "Fair Share" and "Fair Deal" to which he was made a Goodwill Ambassador in Berlin on the sidelines of the symposium on tropical forests by Germany and the Ministers of the COMIFAC countries.
COP 26 - Glasgow: Honorable Dr. Christian successfully drives landmark mobilization – Fair Deal movement bears fruit: US$ 1.5billion to protect Central African forests in the Congo Basin.
For the first time in the history of Conferences of the Parties, Central African countries are securing a financial commitment from donors within the framework of the "Fair Deal" to accelerate the implementation of the COMIFAC Declaration of September 2021. This is a major achievement for COMIFAC, Central African countries, and CBFP partners.
COMIFAC at CoP26: Private Sector – British Timber Federation, China Timber Association and Central African countries call for global governance of the world’s forests for greater equity.
Co-organised by COMIFAC, German Facilitation of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) and Timber Trade Federation of Great Britain (TTF UK), an important session on private sector took place on 6 November 2021, at the COMIFAC Pavilion at CoP26 in Glasgow, UK, on the theme: "Global Forests Need Global Governance".
Landmark International Mobilization for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities: US$ 1,7 Billion available – Central Africa Calls for a “Fair Share” – A Fair Share for its Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities
US$ 1.7 billion international financial commitment aims to promote support to indigenous peoples' and local communities' land rights and forest conservation - Glasgow COP26, November 2021...
COP 26 – High-level visit of H.E. Mr. Denis Sassou-Nguesso, President of the Republic of Congo to COMIFAC Congo Basin Initiatives Pavilion
COP 26 - Glasgow-Scotland, 3 November 2021: The CBFP Facilitator of the Federal Republic of Germany, Honorable Dr. Christian Ruck and His Excellency Jules Doret Ndongo, current President of COMIFAC welcome to the COMIFAC Congo Basin Initiatives Pavilion, H.E. Mr. Denis Sassou-Nguesso, President of the Republic of Congo, President of the Congo Basin Climate Commission.
Convention on Climate Change and Biodiversity: Validation of Parliamentary Position Papers for the Conferences of the Parties on Biodiversity and Climate
The sub-regional workshop for the validation of the position papers of parliamentarians of the sub-region for Conferences of the Parties on Biodiversity (CoP15) and Climate (CoP26) to be held respectively in Kunming, China and Glasgow, Scotland was held from 12 to 15 October 2021 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Organised in collaboration with the Network of Parliamentarians for the Sustainable Management of Central African Forest Ecosystems (REPAR - AC), this activity benefited from the technical support of the GIZ Regional Project in support of COMIFAC.
COP 26 – Towards the third Heads of State and Government of COMIFAC Summit – High-level visit by DRC President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi to the COMIFAC Congo Basin Initiatives Pavilion
COP 26 - Glasgow-Scotland, 2 November 2021: The COMIFAC Basin Congo Initiatives Pavilion was enhanced and honoured by the visit of His Excellency Felix Antoine Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chairman of the African Union.
New editions of book Central African Forests Forever in English, French and Chinese downloadable for free
17 new chapters about opportunities and solutions for conservation and sustainable use of the Congo Basin rainforest. Including: The China Responsible Forest Products Trade and Investment Alliance (China RFA) supports Chinese timber companies in sustainable forest management in the Congo Basin. Responsible Cobalt Initiative wants to improve the lives of artisanal miners. Transition to sustainable forest management in Gabon. Sedentary farming ends slash and burn agriculture near Salonga National Park in DRC. Printed copies are available. Review first edition: “A masterpiece.” Minister Philip Ngwese Ngole of Forests and Wildlife in Cameroon.
Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park - Monthly Newsletter, October 2021
SUMMARY: A successful vaccination campaign for rangers and key frontline staff was successfully launched, ensuring protection against a range of transmissable diseases such as rabies and tuberculosis. Sabine Plattner’s African Charities opened an early learning and maternal education centre in Bomassa village, the opening of which was assisted by NNNP staff. The school will work with the Park on environmental education. 5 rangers received advanced first aid training in Brazzaville. They will now act as medics for the Park’s rangers.
Fern Information note: Building alliances for equitable climate action for people and the planet
In 2021, CARE France, Coordination Sud, GRET and Fern organised a series of webinars to discuss civil society’s role in implementing climate action that protects biodiversity and local communities. These meetings provided an opportunity to explore concrete actions, and increased collaboration between Northern and Southern civil society groups to strengthen their impact on Nationally Determined Contributions. In this briefing we explore some of the key contributions made during these webinars.
COP 26 - COMIFAC Congo Basin Initiatives Pavilion: AWF Side Event : To introduce the Africa Protected Area Congress (APAC)
AWF hosted a well-received and vibrant side event in the COMIFAC pavilion in partnership with CBFP. The event sought to bring visibility for the upcoming Africa’s Inaugural pan African Congress aiming to develop an African Vision for the Management of Africa’s Protected Area Estate, to position P&CAs within the broader goals of economic development and well-being, and to establish the vital role they play in the conservation of biodiversity and in providing vital life sustaining ecosystem services.
Global Forests Need Global Governance: “Tropical Timber Accord' Launches at COMIFAC Congo Basin Initiatives Pavilion, COP 26
UK TTF - A major new proposal to tackle illegal deforestation and strengthen legal governance frameworks in tropical forest producer countries and within international timber supply chains has been launched at COP26…
Do you have confidence in us to build the Great Green Wall, young people ask leaders - UNCCD
A high-level ministerial event on the African led Great Green Wall initiative took place Monday, 8 November at the Climate Change COP26 to identify critical elements to help the public and private sectors to make best use of the billions of dollars pledged this year, and bring to fruition 8,000km of green projects, stretching right across Africa.
Keep calm and COP out: 26th UN Climate Conference offers promises instead of action - Fern
The United Nation’s 26th Climate Conference (COP26) - “our best last chance on climate” - is over. We were promised increased ambition, more cash for those most affected by climate change, and movement towards the Paris Climate Agreement’s aim of keeping global heating to 1.5 degrees. So what did we get, and how does a COP work?
From the World Leaders’ Summit that opened the conference to discussions around coal, carbon trading and finance, the Glasgow Climate Conference COP26 saw an unprecedented focus on forests
Key points included: The Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use, pledging 137 countries to conserve and restore forests, but criticised for being yet another non-binding declaration with a distant target.
Put your money where your mouth is: CIDT calls for the international community to provide sustainable support for citizen led monitoring of forest related climate change commitments – CIDT
CIDT was honoured to be involved in the international climate change summit – COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland. Through its collaboration with the Central African Forest Commission (COMIFAC) and Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP), CIDT organised a panel discussion entitled – Saving Africa’s Congo Basin Rainforest, People and Biodiversity. The panel discussion was held on 11th November 2021 in the COMIFAC pavilion.
Press Release - Donors pledge $413 million to help most vulnerable cope with climate crisis – GEF
In a show of support for those most at risk from climate change, 12 donor governments have pledged $413 million in new funding for the Least Developed Countries Fund during the COP26 climate summit. The LDCF, hosted by the Global Environment Facility, is the only dedicated source of climate resilience funds for the 46 Least Developed Countries, which have contributed the least to carbon emissions and face some of the highest risks from the effects of climate change.
Larger Conservation Areas Didn’t Protect Animals In Central Africa – EURASIAREVIEW
The study, which examined multi-species population counts in the seven main savanna national parks of central Africa, found that broader conservation efforts often led to decreased populations, likely because the lands were too large to manage effectively with the financial resources available.
Landmark $500 million agreement launched at COP26 to protect DR Congo’s forest - Africa-Undp
Glasgow, 2 November 2021: President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom have signed a joint statement on behalf of the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) endorsing an ambitious 10-year agreement (2021-31) to protect the Congo Basin rainforest - the world’s second largest forest.
COP26 IPLC forest tenure Joint Donor Statement: Advancing Support for Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities’ Tenure Rights and their Forest Guardianship Glasgow COP26, November 2021.
With reference to the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use of 2 November 2021 and its commitment ‘to working collectively to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030 while delivering sustainable development and promoting an inclusive rural transformation’....
COP26 Congo Basin Joint Donor Statement: Supporting the protection and sustainable management of the Congo Basin forests.
With reference to the Glasgow Leaders Declaration on Forests and Land Use of 2 November 2021 and its commitment ‘to working collectively to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030 while delivering sustainable development and promoting an inclusive rural transformation’, we, the Ministers and representatives from the countries and organisations listed below make the following statement, that we...
COP26: Indigenous peoples, protests and a call to end the war on nature -UN
As millions of people took to the streets of cities around the world on Saturday, demanding greater climate action, some countries participating in the COP26 negotiations made new pledges to invest in nature-based solutions and adopt a greener approach to farming.
World of Wood Festival of London, to highlight role of timber in creating a low-carbon future - ATIBT
As Glasgow hosts COP26 in the first two weeks of November, the global timber industry is collectively hosting a "World of Wood Festival". This six-week event about global timber and global forests takes place from 25 October to 3 December 2021 at the Building Centre in Store Street, London, and virtually around the world.
Donors pledge $400 million to the Least Developed Countries Fund - climatechangenews
Twelve donor governments pledged $413 million in climate financing for the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) at Cop26 on Tuesday. Representatives of Belgium, the Belgian region of Walloon, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States were present at a pledging event in the UNFCCC Blue Zone, moderated by Bezos Earth Fund CEO Andrew Steer, where attendees discussed how to enhance timely support for climate adaptation particularly in countries most vulnerable to climate change.
Press Release - New program to transform global food systems across key commodities in 27 countries – GEF
At an event at COP26 in Glasgow, a new $345 million, seven-year program, The Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Impact Program (FOLUR), will launch projects in 27 countries, targeting the production and value chains of eight key commodities: beef, cocoa, coffee, maize, palm oil, rice, soy, and wheat. FOLUR aims to transform global food and land use systems through a Global Platform and 27 country projects that restore degraded landscapes and intensify sustainable land management practices.
Adaptation Fund Raises Record US$ 356 Million in New Pledges at COP26 for its Concrete Actions to Most Vulnerable - unfccc
Glasgow, United Kingdom (November 9, 2021) — The Adaptation Fund held its annual Contributor Dialogue on Monday at the UN COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow, and received a record-shattering US$ 356 million in new support from contributing national and regional governments announced at the dialogue and over the next days.
EU at COP26: Commission pledges €100 million to the Adaptation Fund -EC.europa
At today's high-level plenary session at COP26, the European Commission announced a new pledge of €100 million in finance for the Adaptation Fund. Speaking in Glasgow, Executive-Vice-President Frans Timmermans said: “We have to scale up international climate finance and provide a predictable framework for its delivery. The Adaptation Fund can play a key role and that is why I am pleased to announce for the first time that the European Commission is committing €100 million to the Fund, to support developing countries.”
COMIFAC at CoP26: High-level Session on Central African countries contributions and multilateral financial mechanisms to protect Congo Basin
Chaired by H.E. Jules Doret NDONGO, Minister of Forests and Wildlife of Cameroon and current President of COMIFAC, a high-level session on the commitment of Central African countries and the Multilateral Financial Mechanisms for the protection of Congo Basin was held today, 05/11/2021 in the COMIFAC Pavilion at the COP26 Conference Centre in Glasgow, UK.
COMIFAC at CoP26: Private Sector – British Timber Federation, China Timber Association and Central African countries call for global governance of the world’s forests for greater equity.
Co-organised by COMIFAC, German Facilitation of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) and Timber Trade Federation of Great Britain (TTF UK), an important session on private sector took place on 6 November 2021, at the COMIFAC Pavilion at CoP26 in Glasgow, UK, on the theme: "Global Forests Need Global Governance".
"Global forests need global governance", Tropical Timber Accord launches at COP26 - INDUSTRYEUROPE
A call to action to tackle illegal deforestation, strengthen legal frameworks in nations with some of the highest levels of tropical deforestation and reinforce global timber supply chains has been launched at COP26 as forests worldwide dwindle to dangerous levels.
Accelerating the “Fair Deal”: Implementation of the COMIFAC Declaration and COP26 Joint Donor Statement on the Congo Basin: High-level representatives of Donor countries in dialogue with Ministers from Central African countries
This high-level event will make the case for a new "climate/biodiversity Fair deal", advocating for a fair share of climate/biodiversity funding and political commitment directed towards the Congo Basin ecosystems equal to their global value in terms of biodiversity and as a carbon sink. The dialogue initiated at this roundtable will serve to catalyse longer-term dialogue and partnerships across the region, and scaled-up ambition on both the part of the donor community and Central Africa’s forested countries.
Landmark USD 500 M Agreement Launched at COP26 to Protect the DR Congo’s Forest -CAFI
Glasgow, 2 November 2021: President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom on behalf of the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) today endorsed an ambitious 10-year agreement (2021-31) to protect the Congo Basin rainforest – the world's second largest.
Agricultural Commodity Companies Corporate Statement of Purpose - UKCOP26
Recognising the important role of agricultural commodities to address climate change as well as achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, notably promoting economic development, reducing poverty, underpinning food security and improving the livelihoods of billions of people; Recognising also the shared responsibility of the agri-commodity sector, including traders, processors, manufacturers, retailers and consumers, as well as governments...
COMIFAC at COP26: For a stronger commitment of the international community to Congo Basin
Glasgow, Scotland, 31 October 2021 - This Sunday marked the procedural opening of negotiations at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP26). Representatives of 196 countries and organisations, including His Excellency Minister of Forestry and Wildlife of Cameroon, Jules Doret Ndongo, current President of COMIFAC, attended the official launch of technical and political exchanges on the issue. Cop26, as recalled by scientists, is a decisive moment for humanity, which will allow us to avoid catastrophic global warming.
International Wood Manifesto Launches in Advance of COP26 - PPAC
Earlier today, the wood industry’s COP26 International Partners Advisory Body launched its wood manifesto entitled “Growing our Low Carbon Future: Time for Timber”. Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) has been a leading partner in this collaborative global effort to profile the key role timber and wood use in construction can play in our move to a net-zero carbon economy.
International financial flows to support nature protection and sustainable forest management in Central Africa - OFAC BREIF
This publication analyses the funding flows over the last decade in support of nature conservation and sustainable management of the Congo Basin, presents various themes covered by the current financing and identifies possible imbalances.
Publication of the Study Package: Letter from the CBFP Facilitator
I want to thank the authors for their dedicated and high-quality work that went into the production of these studies, as well as UNIQUE consulting for their tireless and engaged support, which made all of them possible. The studies provide valuable and urgently needed insights into some of the most pressing issues in central African forest policy. But they also show up opportunities and solutions for the future of the beautiful tropical forests of the Congo Basin, which are of such immense value, as the second great green lungs of the world, to all of humanity
Sub-regional forum of traditional chefferies and local actors of the transfrontal transhumance in favour of the construction of a dialogue (Nigeria, Central Africa, Chad, Cameroon), Rey-Bouba (Cameroon) from 25 to 28 October 2021
The GIZ Support Project to the BSB YAMOUSSA complex, in collaboration with the Lamidat of Rey Bouba, proposes to organize a sub-regional forum of direct local actors of transboundary transhumance and traditional stakeholders from the grassroots communities, with a view to exchanging, sharing experiences and reflecting on the construction of dialogue in favour of a peaceful transhumance.
42 NGOs alarmed at the EU for possibly abandoning the fight against illegal logging and failing forested countries - FLEGT
In this letter to the Slovenian and French Presidencies of the EU, 42 civil society networks and organisations from countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America call on the European Union (EU) to strengthen support to the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Regulation and its Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs), the EU’s key legal instruments to fight illegal logging, and the associated trade.
Global Forest Watch: perspectives from the developed (Northern) and developing (Southern) countries
This is a second polite reminder to let you know we are conducting an anonymous evaluation funded by the World Resources Institute (WRI) of forest monitoring information and tools, and their usefulness, with a particular focus on Global Forest Watch (GFW), and stakeholder perspectives.
CBFP Study Package - Publications available for download
The German CBFP Facilitation has commissioned a package of 6 thematic studies on pertinent issues in Congo Basin forest politics (namely REDD+ in the Congo Basin, Land Use Planning, Transhumance, Ecotourism, Sustainable value chains, China´s role in Central African forestry) as well as an overarching synthesis study. Each study consists of a full study report as well as a short policy brief. Please download the CBFP Study Package…
Protecting the forests of the Congo Basin: Synthesis report of studies conducted during the German Facilitation of the CBFP in 2021
...In addition to this effort at the global policy level, the facilitation commissioned six thematic studies related to specific opportunities and challenges for the forests of the Congo Basin and the people who depend directly on the products, biodiversity and ecosystem services the forests provide. The six studies and a policy brief for each study were prepared between December 2020 and August 2021. They focus on the following topics...
Advancing Sustainability in China´s Engagement in the Congo Basin - CBFP
Over the last 10 to 15 years, China has increasingly taken note of the potential environmental and forest impacts of its overseas trade, investment and other economic activities. However, timber trade between China and Africa has so far not met the requirements of international legality and sustainability standards. Furthermore, China is highly involved in investment and construction of infrastructure projects that may have caused forest conversion due to a lack of comprehensive, effective management measures and a lack of environmental impact analyses.
Tourism in the Congo Basin Rainforests: How to accelerate tourism and make it regionally sustainable- CBFP
This study was performed with the intent of understanding the challenges to developing eco-tourism in the Congo Basin, and of identifying actions and recommendations to overcome these challenges. A background study of the existing literature, research articles, reports and national strategies (where available) was performed to ascertain the political strategies and academic understanding of ecotourism in the region.
The role of land use planning in Central Africa - CBFP
Conclusions and outlook: Adapted local LUP processes can serve as a foundation for securing tenure, reducing social conflicts between external and local actors, or even within forest adjacent communities meeting the SDGs, implementing REDD+ and operationalizing the many commitments to zero deforestation commodity production.
The Dynamics and Impacts of Transhumance and Neo-Pastoralism on Biodiversity, Local Communities and Security: Congo Basin - CBFP
This study was carried out to shed light on issues related to this activity and provide basic knowledge of various aspects relating to livestock rearing, neo-pastoralism and unsustainable transhumance. The study area covers the Sudano-Sahelian region of Africa – specifically, the area stretching from the northern fringes of the Congo Basin (Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic) and the south-eastern part of the southern Lake Chad Basin, namely the Sudano-Guinean savanna mosaics. The methodology adopted was to collect data from various sources, including from key stake-holders and literature review.
Promoting sustainable value chains in the Congo Basin: An analysis and set of recommendations based on three case studies in producing and importing countries – CBFP Study
The first case study is dedicated to the spectacular policy announcement by Gabon that it would make FSC timber certification mandatory from 2022 onwards for all concessionaires willing to keep operating in the country. Such certification is relatively advanced in Gabon and this unprecedented policy stands as an intriguing and promising example in the region. The second case study relates to a prominent approach that has emerged and grown over the last decade, namely corporate zero-deforestation commitments. This is complementary to the first case study as it refers to a process initiated by the private sector itself, and we apply it to the oil palm sector in Cameroon. For the third case study, we move to the importation side of things with the most advanced policy effort to take action in consuming countries, namely the French National Strategy against Imported Deforestation (SNDI).
Current State, Barriers and Perspectives for REDD+ in the Congo Basin - CBFP
The report draws on a thorough review of the available literature. It is complemented by 21 semi-structured anonymous interviews with key REDD+ experts. The authors conducted the interviews between November 2020 and February 2021. Interview partners include represent-atives of Congo Basin countries, donor states, academia, NGOs and independent technical experts. Instead of going to lengths in elucidating the entire range of options for reducing deforestation and forest degradation, the study report lists concrete courses of action which might be pursued in the future.
Replenishment ambitions, IUCN highlights, and updates from across the partnership | October 2021 Newsletter
To read: Governments meet to consider ambitious GEF replenishment; GEF CEO statement for side event at UN General Assembly; GEF supports innovative Food Securities Fund; 'You cannot see forests in isolation'…
Calling for a « Fair Deal » for the Congo Basin and its vicinity, Berlin, Germany…
Berlin, Germany, 07 September 2021 - Congo Basin Forests Day: Presenting the Statement, Common Position on a "Fair Deal" for the conservation of tropical forests and signing of a Memorandum.
AGN-AMCEN: Preparing for Africa's participation at COP 26 in Glasgow
Africa's priorities within the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN) were set out in July 2021 just after the Bonn Climate Conference (UNFCCC inter-sessional). These priorities are as follows...
Full NDC Synthesis Report: Some Progress, but Still a Big Concern – UNFCCC
UN Climate Change News, 17 September 2021 – UN Climate Change today published a synthesis of climate action plans as communicated in countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The NDC Synthesis report indicates that while there is a clear trend that greenhouse gas emissions are being reduced over time, nations must urgently redouble their climate efforts if they are to prevent global temperature increases beyond the Paris Agreement’s goal of well below 2C – ideally 1.5C – by the end of the century.
Africa Climate Week 2021 Sets Scene for Regional Ambition ahead of COP26 – UNFCCC
UN Climate Change News, 30 September 2021 – Africa Climate Week 2021 wrapped up this week with Virtual Thematic Sessions helping to set the scene for more ambitious regional action to tackle climate change ahead of the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow in November.
World Religious Leaders and Scientists Make pre-COP26 Appeal – UNFCCC
UN Climate Change News, 5 October 2021 – Faith leaders representing the world’s major religions yesterday joined scientists at the Vatican to call on the international community to raise their ambition and step up their climate action ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in November in Glasgow. Almost 40 faith leaders signed a joint Appeal, which was presented by Pope Francis to COP26 President-Designate, the Rt Hon Alok Sharma, and the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Luigi Di Maio.
Invitation to participate in a study about Global Forest Watch
Dear Stakeholder. We are conducting an anonymous evaluation funded by the World Resources Institute (WRI) of forest monitoring information and tools, and their usefulness, with a particular focus on Global Forest Watch (GFW), and stakeholder perspectives.
Land for Life Award 2021 winners honored at International Kubuqi Desert Forum - UNCCD
Bonn, 28 September 2021 – The winners of prestigious 2021 Land for Life Award of the United Nations have been honored at an international forum for their innovation in land restoration and conservation methods that promote the well-being of communities and improve their relationship with nature.
UNCCD unveils new guidance on land degradation and drought reporting
Bonn, 29 September 2021 – Two new guidance documents have been released today: a revised and upgraded version of Good Practice Guidance for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator 15.3.1 and new Good Practice Guidance for national reporting on UNCCD strategic objective 3.
SEI Report Assesses Transboundary Climate Risks in Commodity Flows - IISD
The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) has published a report providing a global assessment of transboundary climate risks in agricultural commodity flows. Its authors explain that the material risk posed to food security, particularly in low-income, import-dependent countries, is such that adaptation to transboundary climate risk becomes a matter of public policy.
Responding to Crises Starts Years in Advance: 2021 Goalkeepers Report - IISD
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has released its annual Goalkeepers Report, which tracks progress on 18 SDG indicators and reflects on trends influencing the Goals. In the introduction to the 2021 Goalkeepers report, titled ‘Innovation and Inequity,’ Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates write that the past year has shown that “progress is possible but not inevitable. The effort we put in matters a great deal.” The report aims to highlight learnings from the successes and failures of the pandemic so far.
Poor charcoal production techniques fuel tree cutting in Kenya – CIFOR
A new study conducted by scientists from the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), and partner organizations shows that charcoal producers have little or no support to engage in the replanting of trees, which could lead to a lower rate of deforestation in the already tree-scarce areas where most charcoal is produced.
WHO, UN Partners Compile 500 Actions to Reduce Health and Environment Risks – IISD
The World Health Organization (WHO) and UN partners have published a compendium of 500 actions to reduce death and diseases driven by environmental risk factors. The publication states that almost 25% of deaths worldwide could be prevented by fully implementing these actions.
Deforestation from road expansion jeopardizes ecosystems in Indonesian New Guinea - CIFOR
The vast forests of the world’s largest tropical island are populated by exotic birds of paradise, kingfishers, parrots, raptors and pigeons – these species representing just a handful of almost 750 that have so far been identified.
Food Systems Summit reveals challenges of transforming global food production - CIFOR
Governments, companies and other organizations offered more than 200 commitments at the world’s first food systems summit aimed at addressing unequal access to food in a more sustainable, healthier and equitable way.
Vienna Convention, Montreal Protocol Offer Lessons for Climate Agreements -IISD
The latest ‘Still Only One Earth’ policy brief from IISD looks back at when “the world was struck with fear” in 1985 after scientists discovered a massive hole in the ozone that forms a protective layer over the Earth. The brief reviews the steps taken to heal the ozone layer through two intergovernmental agreements – the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer – and what else must be done. It also highlights lessons for addressing climate change.
Appeal made for international commitment to protecting the Congo Basin ecosystems and their vicinity at the IUCN World Conservation Congress
Jointly organized by COMIFAC, CBFP, GIZ, CAFI and IUCN, as part of the Congo Basin Special Day at the World Conservation Congress, a high-level session on the Congo Basin, was held from 2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m on 05/09/2021., at the SPACE CENTER, Exhibition HALL 3.
The CBFP Facilitator of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Honorable Dr. Christian Ruck, brings together senior U.S. officials and CBFP partners in Washington, D.C. to discuss to the "Fair Deal".
Senators, Congressmen, US State Department and federal agency officials, representatives of US NGOs, Foundations and high-level officials of multilateral banks take ownership of the “Fair Deal” and the international visibility of the Congo Basin forests reinforced. Washington, D.C., September 19-24, 2021 - The Federal Republic of Germany CBFP Facilitator, Honorable Dr. Christian Ruck, meets with CBFP partners.
Summary report, 3–11 September 2021, IUCN World Conservation Congress 2020
In a world emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress successfully highlighted the dual existential crises the planet faces: climate change and biodiversity collapse.
Tropical forests at the IUCN Congress - ATIBT
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) summit ended in Marseille on Friday, September 10, 7 days after its inauguration. A number of ATIBT members participated, sometimes with a stand. It was above all a return to direct meetings between many people who had only seen each other through screens for many months!
15th–17th March, 2022, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai
Dubai WoodShow has been the leading trade show for the wood and woodworking machinery sectors since 2005. The show has established its position in the Middle East region as the most dynamic platform for the wood and woodworking professionals.
Geopolitics of the World’s Forests: Strategies for Tackling Deforestation – IFRI
Deforestation continues at a worrying pace worldwide, except in temperate and boreal countries. It is caused by the race for land, underpinned by population growth and rising global demand for “deforestation-prone” products. Moreover, with climate change, mega-fires are now posing unprecedented threats to forests.
World Conservation Congress: Marseille Manifesto
The Marseille Manifesto aims to capture a limited number of key messages that are globally and currently relevant and which relate to the Congress proceedings, including any notable and important commitments and announcements that emerged from Congress events. The focus is on the post-Covid recovery, the biodiversity crisis and climate emergency.
A second high-level session on the protection of the Congo Basin: Representatives of bilateral donor countries come together to help protect forests and wetlands in the green heart of Africa at the World Nature Congress
Jointly organized by COMIFAC, the CBFP, GIZ, CAFI and the IUCN, as part of the Congo Basin Special Day at the World Conservation Congress, a second high-level session on the preservation of the Congo Basin’s ecosystems took place on 05/09/2021 at 6:00 p.m. local time at the PAVILLON NATURE BASE SOLUTION, Exhibition HALL 3.
IUCN World Conservation Congress 2020 – IISD Report of main proceedings for 7 September 2021
Following four busy and inspirational days of work, the Forum concluded its deliberations. During another bustling day, participants attended thematic sessions and high-level dialogues during the morning. In the afternoon, seven thematic plenaries outlined the main take-home messages from the Forum’s discussions, followed by the official Forum closing plenary.
Fondation TNS Annual report 2020
While 2019 saw a general rise in all types of financial assets, 2020 turned out to be a tumultuous year. The coronavirus pandemic triggered sharp falls in February- March, followed by a sharp rebound from the end of March to the end of August, thanks to unprecedented monetary and fiscal support from the world’s major central banks and governments. The second wave of Covid-19 permitted further corrections in September and October, before a year-end upturn linked to excellent news on the vaccine front.
The Congo Basin’s voice rings out at the IUCN World Conservation Congress
Through a series of important activities organized at the IUCN World Conservation Congress, COMIFAC, its member countries and partners called on the international community to take coordinated steps to ensure adequate financial flows for the preservation of the Congo Basin’s ecosystems and peatlands as a cost-effective nature-based solution.
Visitors and key actors flock to “COMIFAC - CONGO BASIN INITIATIVES” Booth at IUCN Word Congress
Marseille, France, 5 September 2021 (COMIFAC). On the 3rd day of the Congress, the Congo Basin Booth drew over a hundred visitors, including members of governments and dignitaries from the Congo Basin, bilateral donor countries, multilateral financing mechanisms, as well as the general public.
Invitation to the signing ceremony of the CBFP Declaration
We hereby invite you to join the ceremony online. Due to the current German restrictions related to Covid-19, participation is made possible virtually. Please use the following link to follow the ceremony online on September 7th, at 10:00 a.m. CEST....
World Conservation Congress, Marseille, France: Congo Basin mobilizes around its Stand - Congo Basin initiatives
Let's commit together to "save the world's last lung and net positive tropical carbon balance" ... Download your invitation...
Mobilization of the media to cover the participation of the Congo Basin in the World Conservation Congress
High-Level Event on International Engagement for the Protection of the Congo Basin Ecosystems and their vicinity. Theme: · Biodiversity and climate finance for the Congo basin rainforest and their vicinity, as a cost-effective nature-based solution. Date: September 05, 2021. September 5, 2021... Please download the press invitations...
Matching international action with critical needs | September 2021 Newsletter
To read: 'My hope is to see international action match the critical need'; Take part in the IUCN World Conservation Congress; GEF publishes data on IATI platform in transparency push; Integrated programming in the Global Environment Facility
Third Wildlife Forum to explore best ways to support the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework implementation – registrations open. -Traffic
The Collaborative Partnership on Sustainable Wildlife Management (CPW) is hosting its Third Wildlife Forum with the aim of exploring how to support the implementation of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework ahead of the Fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to be held in Kunming, China.
Recently published document: State of Protected Areas in Central Africa 2020
Written by a group of experts specializing in conservation in Central Africa, with the financial support of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OEACP) and the European Union (EU), through the BIOPAMA and RIOFAC projects, as well as GIZ, “Protected Areas of Central Africa: Status 2020” follows a first edition published in 2015, which has now become the flagship publication on protected areas in the region.
French Pavilion - "Alliance for the Conservation of Rainforests ": Invitation to a high-level event on 8 September 2021 - IUCN World Congress
The French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs is pleased to invite you, in person or virtually, to the event organized on Wednesday 8 September at 6.30 p.m. at the French Pavilion on the occasion of the IUCN World Congress in Marseille: "Alliance for the conservation of rainforests".
Invitation - Creation of a Business Forum for Sustainable Value Chains in Africa at the IUCN World Congress
The French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, The Gabonese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The National Group for Rainforests, the French Advisers for Foreign Trade and Africa Business Forum, Institut Choiseul, all supporting the Alliance for the Conservation of Rainforests, request the pleasure of your participation, during the IUCN World Congress in Marseille, to the event they jointly organize on Monday, September 6 at 5pm on the French pavilion, in person and virtually : "Creation of a Business Forum for implementation of sustainable value chains in Africa".
Invitation to the Tropical Forest Symposium
The Tropical Forest Symposium is therefore aimed at policy makers (in Germany and abroad), the German and international (expert) public as well as at tropical forest countries and donor nations. Please find the invitation to the Tropical Forest Symposium, which you can follow online on September 8th, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m CEST.
Indigenous peoples are key to facing the current planetary emergency - sciencedirect
Indigenous territories in the Bolivian, Brazilian and Colombian Amazon avoid between 42.8 million and 59.7 million metric tons of CO2 emissions per year. To commemorate the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, David Kaimowitz explains why it’s time to join forces with indigenous peoples for the good of the planet.
OPINION: Indigenous peoples are key to a healthier planet - News.trust
On 17 February this year, Aruká Juma, the last elder of the Juma people in Brazil’s Amazonian rainforest, died of COVID-19. According to NGO Instituto Socioambiental, he is one of more than a thousand indigenous people to have died from the virus in Brazil, where COVID-19 has affected more than 150 native groups.
Doing More with Less: Ensuring Sustainable Consumption and Production -IISD
Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns has been one of the greatest global challenges over the past fifty years. With the adoption of Sustainable Development Goal 12, “Ensure sustainable consumption and production,” and rising interest in the circular economy model, there is an opportunity to set systems-wide goals for all societies, recognizing that key drivers and solutions lie in our economic, financial and governance decision-making.
Ninth Meeting of the CBFP Governing Council in Douala: major strides in the implementation of the CBFP and partners' roadmap and new challenges ahead
The 9th Meeting of the CBFP Governing Council was held on Friday 16 July 2021 in Douala Cameroon by video conference at the Hotel La Falaise. This meeting was part of the CBFP's cooperation framework, which provides for the CBFP Council to meet twice a year, and followed Experts Meeting to follow up on the N'Djamena Conference on the development of country investment plans focusing on zoonoses, transhumance, the fight against cross-border poaching, security and sustainable development between the Sahel and the Congo Basin, which was held from 12 to 15 July 2021 at the same venue.
ECCAS Chair in November 2022: Preliminary agreement from the DRC
The matter of the Democratic Republic of the Congo taking over the rotating chairmanship of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) in 2022 was discussed by President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and Mr. Gilberto Da Piedade Verrissimo, Chairman of the sub-regional economic organization’s commission on Monday, 2 August 2021 at the City of the African Union.
Heads of State and Government seek to inject new impetus into ECCAS
Videoconference, 30 July 2021 – Convened by His Excellency Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, President of the Republic of the Congo, Head of State, Current Chair of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the XIXth Ordinary Session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of ECCAS took place.
INTERHOLCO will be moving to a new office
We are pleased to inform you that INTERHOLCO's headquarters are moving to a new office in Baar. Effective Monday, 23 August 2021, our new business address will be as follows: Neuhofstrasse 25, 6340 Baar, Switzerland. Business hours and telephone numbers will stay the same. Please update your contact book.
State of Central Africa's Protected Areas 2020: A New report a new report proposes avenues to improve their effectiveness – OFAC
Central Africa currently has more than 200 protected areas covering a total of 800 000 km², or twice the size of Cameroon. Across the 10 countries of the region, the number and size of protected areas have doubled in the last 20 years.
Congo Basin Forest Partnership looks to help the Congo and Congo Basin Climate Commission prepare for COP 26 in Glasgow
The Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development and the Congo Basin Arlette SOUDAN-NONAULT, granted an audience to Dr Christian RUCK, Facilitator of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) on Tuesday, July 13, 2021.
Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis - IPCC
The Working Group I contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report is the most up-to-date physical understanding of the climate system and climate change, bringing together the latest advances in climate science, and combining multiple lines of evidence from paleoclimate, observations, process understanding, and global and regional climate simulations.
DSPA July newsletter
Please download the July newsletter of the Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas. This month, some good news. On the one hand, no cases of COVID 19 have been detected in the region and the possibility of reopening the Park to tourism is being considered.
End of Exhibitions at the World Conservation Congress: Congressmen and the media amazed to no end by the Booth’s impressive display and the relevance of the Congo Basin’s messages
Exhibitions at the IUCN World Conservation Congress ended on 19 September, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. local time in Marseille, France. However, the “COMIFAC-CONGO BASIN INITIATIVES” booth remained busy all day.
AFRICA: ECCAS redefines deforestation – AFRICA- Camer.be
Slated to hold from 3 to 5 August 2021 in Brazzaville (Congo), the workshop will gather agriculture and forestry experts from the 11 ECCAS member countries, representatives of the African Union, COMIFAC, NEPAD, civil society organizations, and development partners (UNESCO, FAO, UNDP, BDEAC, CIFOR), among others.
Sweden: Welcome to our new member!
Berlin, August 05, 2021, Sweden has officially joined the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP). In this connection, Sweden believes its activities in Africa fall in line with the principles outlined in the cooperation framework of CBFP members and COMIFAC’s convergence plan with which it has familiarised itself, aimed at promoting sustainable management of ecosystems and conservation of biodiversity in Central Africa.
Germany - COMIFAC Cooperation: German Ambassador to Congo, alongside parliamentarians, women and youth, for a sustainable management of Central African forest ecosystems
Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo, hosted a series of three workshops from 14 to 25 June 2021 at the Hotel PEFACO Maya Maya. The first workshop focused on the planning and consultation of the Network of Young Leaders for the Sustainable Management of Central African Forest Ecosystems (REJEFAC), the second on the Network of Parliamentarians for the Sustainable Management of Central African Forest Ecosystems (REPAR) and the third on the African Women's Network for Sustainable Development (REFADD).
Countries and sub-regional institutions concerned with N’Djamena Declaration jump start its implementation in Douala, Cameroon - Towards continuous collaboration between the Sahel and the Congo Basin
The Honourable Dr. Christian Ruck, Federal Republic of Germany CBFP Facilitator gives a new impetus to the implementation of the N'Djaména Declaration - Douala (Cameroon) - 12 to 15 July 2002, an Expert follow-up meeting to the N’Djamena Conference was held to develop country investment plans geared towards transboundary transhumance, zoonoses, the fight against transboundary poaching, security and sustainable development between the Sahel and the Congo Basin. The Country Expert Meeting was held with the financial support of the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the technical support of the Federal Republic of Germany CBFP Facilitation and the German Technical Cooperation (GIZ), GIZ BSB Yamoussa Project. The Press Release, the proposed political / institutional support, the roadmap for country investment plans and N’Djamena 2 and the task force specifications are available for download on the CBFP website...
DRC’s Salonga National Park removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger – WWF
On 19 July 2021, during its 44th session, the World Heritage Committee decided to remove Salonga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) from the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger due to improvements in its state of conservation.
New release: WWF Human Wildlife Conflict Report
The human-wildlife conflict report: “A future for all: the need for human-wildlife coexistence” was published on July 8, detailing the complex nature of human-wildlife conflict, its impacts and how to address them so that people and animals can coexist peacefully. This pack raises awareness of the report, its significance and encourages people to raise greater awareness on the issue.
Documentation of the EAST Block - follow-up of the implementation of the N’Djamena Declaration
Results of the work of the geographical block WEST. Please download the Document here below:
Documentation of the West Block - follow-up of the implementation of the N'Djaména Declaration
Results of the work of the geographical block WEST. Please download the Document here below:
Documentation of the Center Block - follow-up of the implementation of the N’Djamena Declaration
Results of the work of the geographical block CENTER. Please download the Document here below:
Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas : June 2021 newsletter
The weather in DS continues to be strange this year. In principle we should be going through a short dry period within the rainy season at the moment, for the rains to restart in August but the reality is that the rainy season has not yet started. There is so much uncertainty on what will happen now.
Green Climate Fund Board approves USD 500 million for new climate action, strengthens its Results Management Framework
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board at its twenty-ninth meeting, has allocated USD 500 million in GCF resources for new climate projects, and taken significant steps to strengthen results management for its growing portfolio. During the meeting, four (04) new climate projects were approved and will mobilise a total sum of USD 2,949 million for climate action in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, with three of the four new projects targeting support to the most vulnerable countries including Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States, and African states.
NATO Adopts Climate Change Actions for 2030 - SDG.IISD
The Heads of State and Government of the 30 members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have adopted NATO 2030, “a transatlantic agenda for the future,” as well as a Climate Change and Security Action Plan. The Action Plan provides a framework to deliver on the Climate Change and Security Agenda endorsed by NATO Foreign Ministers on 23-24 March 2021. The NATO Deputy Secretary-General said the decisions make the fight against climate change an important task for NATO for the first time.
Progress Reported in Transparency Talks Ahead of COP 26 – SDG.IISD
The UNFCCC’s Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) met online for three weeks in June 2021. The two subsidiary bodies held plenaries as well as mandated and Presidency-led events. Delegates also convened informal consultations on a range of issues in the lead up to the Glasgow Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 26), which is scheduled to take place in November 2021.
Political Leadership Is Needed for Success at COP26 – Ovais Sarmad – UNFCCC
UN Climate Change News, 25 June 2021 – The progress made at the May-June UN Climate Change Conference leaves the international community “well positioned to achieve success” at the crucial UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow in November, according to UN Climate Change Deputy Executive Secretary, Ovais Sarmad.
COP26 Registration Opens to Facilitate Participant Vaccination – UNFCCC
UN Climate Change News, 29 June 2021 - The UN Climate Change online portal to register Parties, admitted observers and media representatives to attend the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 (31 October – 12 November 2021) in Glasgow is open for participants.
Practical guide to tree plantations in the dense humid forests of Africa
This is the subject of a new book published by the Faculty of Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech of the University of Liege, Nature+ and their collaborators. This book focuses on the species of dense rainforests, capitalizing on the results of past or recent trials in six African countries, and mobilizing the skills and knowledge of thirteen specialists.
NDC - Examples of Clean Energy Transition in Member Countries
Rwanda, the first African country to submit an updated 2020 NDC, is displacing GHG emissions from fossil fuel power generation and expanding energy access to areas not served by the national grid. Rwanda intends to add more than 150 MW of hydro capacity to the grid and install 68 MWp of solar mini-grids in rural areas by 2030.
Central African Republic is now one of the seven countries to get more targeted support from LDCF
The Least Developed Countries Fund, the only dedicated source of climate adaptation support for the world’s smallest and most vulnerable economies, will provide more than $60 million to address urgent needs in Bhutan, Central African Republic, Eritrea, Kiribati, Lesotho, Somalia, and Timor-Leste under its latest work program.
Tax and non-tax incentives for sustainable forest management: An opportunity for the Congo Basin countries
The report on Tax and non-tax incentives for sustainable forest management presents an analytical overview of potential incentives for sustainable management of tropical forests as well as possible deterrents. The aim is to help ITTO producer member countries develop incentives that are equally effective and fruitful in promoting the sustainable development of their forests.
Cameroon - Decision: Prime Minister repeals decree expropriating 66,340 hectares of forest in the Ntem Valley (South Region) - Cameroon-info
Joseph Dion Ngute's decision was signed on May 5, 2021. This is the culmination of a case that captivated the nation’s attention in August 2020. In a decree signed on May 5, 2021, Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute repealed another decree, dating back from 2016, signed at the time by his predecessor, Philemon Yang, expropriating 66,340 hectares of land in the Ntem Valley, South Region.
ECOFAC6 Regional Programme conducts mid-term review to mark World Biodiversity Day
During the official opening of the ECOFAC6 Regional Programme’s Steering Committee, (organized in Douala, Cameroon from 4 to 6 May) EU Ambassador, Ms. Rosario Bento-Pais, recalled that the EU invests more than 80 million Euros in the ECOFAC6 Programme. The other 17 million are invested by the partners. Amounting to approximately 100 million Euros, the investment makes ECOFAC6 the largest European environmental programme in Central Africa and a one-of-the-kind initiative in the world.
CBFP Facilitator meets with H.E. Jules Doret Ndongo, Minister of Forestry and Wildlife of Cameroon
The meeting held on Monday 3rd May 2021 at the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife of Cameroon. The Facilitator thanked the Ministry for the positive response it had given to the Declaration of the ECCAS/COMIFAC countries for the forests of the Congo Basin and its periphery.
Gabon - CBFP - The Prime Minister of Gabon receives in audience the Facilitator of the Federal Republic of Germany, Honorable Dr Christian Ruck : The Sustainable Management of Congo Basin Forest Ecosystems in the Spotlight
CBFP Facilitator of the Federal Republic of Germany, Honorable Dr. Christian Ruck, undertook a mission in Gabon from the 9th to the 14th of May 2021. Dr Christian Ruck met in turn with: the Prime Minister; the Minister Delegate for Water, Forests, the Sea and the Environment; the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food; the Vice-President of the ECCAS Commission; the Commissioner for the Environment, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development; the National Climate Council...
CBFP Facilitator of the Federal Republic of Germany, Honorable Dr. Christian Ruck meets Gabonese civil society
During his mission to Gabon from 09 to 14 May 2021, the CBFP Facilitator of the Federal Republic of Germany, Honorable Dr. Christian Ruck, had a working session with Gabonese civil society accompanied by the German Ambassador to Gabon.
Second mission of the CBFP Facilitator of the Federal Republic of Germany, Honorable Dr. Christian Ruck to Cameroon: Strengthening cooperation Building cooperation
The dynamics of the CBFP in Cameroon, how to enhance the conservation and sustainable management of the forests of the Congo Basin while preserving their vital role for the regional and global climate were at the heart of the political (MINFOF, MINFI, MINEPAT, parliamentarians) and technical discussions.
Special meeting of CBFP private sector college with CBFP Facilitator of the Federal Republic of Germany, Honourable Dr Christian Ruck
Video Conference - May 20, 2021. The CBFP private sector college held a special meeting. Moderated by the Co-Leader of the CBFP private sector college, Ms. Jacqueline Van de Pol (ATIBT), the meeting gathered close to twenty participants.
COMIFAC’s new statutory team sworn in
The swearing-in ceremony of COMIFAC’s statutory staff took place on Friday, 4 June 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Hilton hotel in Yaoundé.
CBFP Facilitation Mandate of the Federal Republic of German extended till end of 2022 and Facilitator meets with private sector in Libreville
As the CBFP announced on its website, it will be managed until 2022 by the Facilitation team of the Federal Republic of Germany with Honourable Dr Christian Ruck serving as Facilitator, assisted by the Co-Facilitator, Minister Raymond Mbitikon of the Central African Republic. The Facilitation’s mandate was originally scheduled to end in 2021.
CBFP Facilitator from the Federal Republic of Germany, Honourable Dr Christian Ruck in talks with REPAR parliamentarians
Thursday, 06 May 2021: Starting from 11:45 am, a luncheon was held in the Safoutier Hall of the Hilton Hotel between the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) Facilitator of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Cameroonian Delegation of the Network of Parliamentarians for Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystems in Central Africa (REPAR-Cameroon).
Seven countries to get more targeted support from LDCF - THEGEF
Representatives of 184 countries have approved a new work program for the Least Developed Countries Fund, which together with the Special Climate Change Fund has provided more than $2 billion to date for the urgent climate resilience needs of small and vulnerable economies.
Making Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) work for forests, people and the climate: Civil society recommendations on the future of VPAs
The briefing reflects on progress after a decade of implementation including looking at multi stakeholder participation, increased transparency and reduced illegal deforestation. It suggests concrete ways to address challenges and step up current efforts including increased enforcement of just laws, enhanced policy coherence, and inclusive decision making. If the proposed changes are taken on board, VPAs will continue to effectively contribute to governance improvements, forest protection and sustainable local livelihoods.
A new website for the Forest Scientific and Technical Committee - ATIBT
The Forest Scientific and Technical Council (CST Forêt) of AFD has a new website that presents its activities and provides users with numerous resources and news. Created in 2019 by AFD and led by GRET, the CST aims to enhance French and Francophone expertise in the forestry sector in order to inform policymakers.
The ADEFAC activities will start in DRC! - ATIBT
The first training activity of the ADEFAC project will start in August in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Last week, from Sunday 30 May until Friday 4 June, the main technical assistant, Jacqueline LARDIT, and the project manager, Elise MAZEYRAC, of the projet to Support the development of continuous education for the forest and wood sector in Central Africa (ADEFAC) were on mission in Kinshasa, where the were received by the Wood industrials federation (FIB).
Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas June 2021
The month of May has already ended and the rainy season has not yet started. Although it has rained some days, it is just a few days compared to a normal year and the level of the Sangha River remains relatively low...
Launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration: Central Africa commits to the restoration of...
Central African countries' commitments to landscape restoration have the potential to deliver about three times more the climate benefits of all GCF allocations to date… These Central African commitments represent 24% of global commitments and 28% of African countries' commitments under the Bonn challenges...
Protected areas in Central Africa: 2020 - publication launch
The Central African Forests Observatory (OFAC) presents an updated assessment of the state of protected areas in the ten member countries of the Central African Forests Commission (COMIFAC). Join us on 29 June 2021, 11:00 AM dans Bruxelles for the launch of this publication. Interpretation English-French will be available.
Re-imagine, Recreate, Restore! UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration kicks off -FAO
4 June 2021, Nairobi/Rome - Leaders in global politics, science, communities, religion and culture joined hands today to officially kick off the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration - a rallying call for the protection and revival of millions of hectares of ecosystems all around the world for the benefit of people and nature.
Federal Environment Ministry supports new UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration – BMU
Today's World Environment Day sees the start of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly for the period 2021 to 2030. It follows the UN Decade on Biodiversity which came to an end in 2020. The goal in the coming decade is to halt the ongoing degradation of ecosystems and begin their restoration. Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze will give a video message at a high-level virtual event organised by Pakistan, host of this year's World Environment Day, to mark the launch of the new UN Decade
Tough climb up for biodiversity - ITTO
Biodiversity is under immense threat. According to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, 1 million species of plants and animals are facing extinction, many within decades, unless action is taken to tackle the drivers of biodiversity loss (IPBES 2019). Moreover, without such action, the rate of species extinction will accelerate.
New Report Shows How Fiscal Reforms Can Positively Influence Forest Conservation and Ecosystem Health - CIF
Fiscal policies with the right incentives can be a powerful tool to help governments reduce deforestation and forest degradation and promote the sustainability of forests, according to a new report from the CIF Forest Investment Program (FIP) and the World Bank, commissioned by the CIF Evaluation and Learning (E&L) Initiative.
GCF launches climate finance report during Seoul P4G summit – GCF
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has launched a new report on how global finance can be aligned with sustainable development in order to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and deliver a COVID-19 economic recovery.
Press release: Joint statement on principles for collaboration under the Forest, Agriculture and Commodity Trade (FACT) Dialogue -UK
Following the first ministerial meeting of the Forest, Agriculture and Commodity Trade (FACT) Dialogue, 24 countries have endorsed a statement committing to working together to protect the world’s precious forests while also promoting sustainable trade.
Monthly Newsletter, April - Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park
April was a busy month for the park, with new radio systems installed for security and ranger operations across our field posts, with ongoing checks during the month of May. This new system will permit permanent, voice contact with all our key sites, and even ranger teams in the field!
Leadership on Carbon Pricing in 2020-21
This year's Carbon Pricing Leadership Report comes as much of the world continues to grapple with the global COVID-19 crisis that has ravaged communities , overwhelmed health care systems, closed borders, and brought economies to a near halt over the past year. As future generations look back at this time, they will see this pandemic as one of humanity's greatest tragedies, but they will also see our resilience.
Leaders Call for Concrete Commitments to Achieve Energy and Climate Goals – IISD
Leaders from the UN, the private sector, national and local governments, youth and other organizations have called for countries, businesses, cities, and civil society groups to put forward “Energy Compacts” to show how they will contribute to achieving the goal of clean, affordable energy for all by 2030 (SDG 7) and net-zero emissions by 2050.
GEF pledges 2 million USD to support UNCCD Parties reporting on land degradation and desertification – UNCCD
The UNCCD Secretariat and Global Mechanism provide technical advice and capacity building support in this process through a Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded and UNEP (UN Environment) implemented Global Support Programme (GSP). GEF has recently approved two million USD funding to help the countries complete the next reporting cycle in 2021-2022. A new reporting platform planned for the project would ensure that a higher level of accurate assessment and analysis of land degradation trends at national and regional levels is achieved and that policy makers can make informed land management decisions.
The UK wants to spearhead the fight to protect the world’s forests... –FERN
...but trade, environmental protection and social justice don’t have to be mutually exclusive, says Chiara Vitali. The doubts about the climate crisis that Boris Johnson used to express in his newspaper columns are a thing of the past.
Report of the last CBFP Scientific College Meeting: The Partnership´s scientific community gathers around the German Facilitator Christian Ruck
The virtual meeting of the CBFP Scientific College was held online on June 26, 2021 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. After the Co-Leader Richary Atyi welcomed all participants and introduced them to the agenda of the meeting, the floor was given to CBFP Facilitator Dr. Christian Ruck representing the German Facilitation to the partnership. The Facilitator gave a short overview of the activities the Facilitation has pursued since the last virtual meeting of the College. Please download the minutes of the meeting.
invitation to a UNDP online event on “ How to advance the climate agenda in fragile contexts ? Answers from the Central African region”
The event will put a spotlight on how to promote the climate and environment agendas in West and Central Africa region, home to the second largest tropical rainforest in the world, but facing major challenges such as poverty, inequality, food insecurity, weaknesses in governance, institutions and infrastructure.
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES: Long-term (1990–2019) monitoring of forest cover changes in the humid tropics
Our study suggests that reinforcing actions are needed to prevent the initial degradation that leads to forest clearance in 45% of the cases... This approach can be applied to future Landsat data (from 2020) automatically and is intended to be adapted to Sentinel-2 data (available since 2015) for TMF monitoring with higher temporal frequency and finer spatial resolution.
3-Day Climate Action Workshop for Development Finance Institutions in Africa - AFDB
The African Development Bank and the Association of African Development Finance Institutions are hosting a virtual workshop titled “Mainstreaming Climate Finance Actions in National Development Finance Institutions.”
US, Germany, UK target Africa for increased trade at African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association conference - AFDB
Investor and trade interest in Africa remains strong despite challenges around Covid-19, senior officials from the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom said at the recently concluded annual conference of the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association.
Webinar Recordings and Resources: Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Change
Thank you for your interest in our webinar series, “Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Change: Reconciling the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” Recordings of both webinars are now available...
IISD - The Sustainable Use of Natural Resources: The Governance Challenge
Still Only One Earth: Lessons from 50 years of UN sustainable development policy. Over-exploitation of natural resources harms the health of ecosystems and the wellbeing of people. In the face of environmental crises and growing inequality, we need to act, including developing extended producer responsibility and supply chain legislation, guaranteeing green public procurement, supporting technical innovation to enhance resource circularity, and adopting decision-making processes that include and respect women, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities.
Launch of Tax Transparency in Africa Report 2021- AFDB
The Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes, the Africa Union Commission and the African Tax Administration Forum will launch the 2021 Tax Transparency in Africa (TTIA) report on 26 May 2021 at 9:00 GMT.
The world is ‘standing on the precipice’ of multiple crises, former UN chief warns - CNBC
Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has spoken of the multiple disasters the world is currently facing, which have only been accentuated by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Putting the Environment in Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence – FERN
Ensuring corporate accountability for environmental impacts in the upcoming EU directive on sustainable corporate governance. As the European Union develops its future sustainable corporate governance directive, a number of civil society organisations published a briefing that outlines why and how environmental protection must be integrated into companies’ due diligence requirements alongside respect for human rights.
The International Energy Agency's Net Zero Plan threatened by the 'false climate solution' of bioenergy, say scientists and NGOs – Fern
The International Energy Agency (IEA) today published a new energy scenario. It models for the first time how the world can achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and limit global warming to 1.5ºC. A group of environmental and social NGOs campaigning to stop the EU burning forests for energy says this is a step forward; but they also criticise the IEA for relying heavily on bioenergy to meet climate goals and for failing to halt the use of land for energy production. Bioenergy is a false climate solution that adds emissions to the atmosphere, exacerbates biodiversity loss and negatively impacts food security.
Resistance of African tropical forests to an extreme climate anomaly
Here, we report responses of structurally intact old-growth lowland tropical forests inventoried within the African Tropical Rainforest Observatory Network (AfriTRON). We use 100 long-term inventory plots from six countries each measured at least twice prior to and once following the 2015–2016 El Niño event.
GCA Chief: We Are ‘Utterly Unprepared’ for the Climate Emergency – BREITBART
The CEO of the Global Center for Adaptation (GCA) contends that “climate disasters have doubled” during the last 20 years, CNBC reported Wednesday. Patrick Verkooijen, who runs the GCA, which describes itself as a “solutions broker to accelerate, innovate and scale adaptation action for a climate-resilient world,” told CNBC the coronavirus pandemic had been a “wake-up call” for the world.
China’s tourism industry commits to strengthening its efforts in tackling wildlife trafficking - Traffic
China, 23rd April 2021: Global leaders from China’s tourism industry have pledged their commitment to tackling the illegal trade of wildlife by signing the Tourism Industry’s Illegal Wildlife Trade Convention created by the World Tourism Federation (WTA) and China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA), at a dedicated event hosted by TRAFFIC’s China office.
Vietnamese consumers urged to lead an active lifestyle and only use proven medicines to curb demand for tiger products on Endangered Species’ Day
HANOI, 21 May 2021 – Today, TRAFFIC is urging consumers to adopt active lifestyles and only use proven medicines as alternatives to tiger bone glue, in a bid to reduce demand for tiger products in Vietnam.
DR Congo Volcano Erupts, Sending Thousands Fleeing to Rwanda -BREITBART
Mount Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) erupted on Saturday killing at least 22 people and sending thousands of others fleeing to neighboring Rwanda.
International Day for Biological Diversity... Message by UNCCD Executive Secretary Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw
The pandemic has reminded us how much we depend on each other. How much we depend on nature. How much our fate depends on our relationships with nature. How much we need a good political will, combined with collective action, and sustained investment. When these come together, we can make a difference.
Unsustainable and Ineffective: Why EU Forest Biomass Standards won't stop destruction – Fern
There has been intense criticism of the European Union (EU) Renewable Energy Directive (RED) for leading to adverse impacts on forests in Europe and beyond. To tackle these concerns, the EU developed sustainability criteria that forest biomass must meet to be counted towards EU renewable energy targets (and therefore be eligible for subsidies).
High-level dialogue on desertification, land degradation and drought - UNCCD
Land is the foundation of our societies and is a cornerstone to global food security and environmental health, zero hunger, poverty eradication and affordable energy. It underpins the success of the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Developmen, and yet this finite resource is under existential threat. On 14 June event will be broadcast live on UN WebTV and streamed to UNCCD Facebook page 14.00-17.00 and 19.00-22:00 GMT.
ELYX the UN digital Ambassador joins UNCCD for Desertification and Drought Day - UNCCD
This journey for ELYX, the UN’s Digital Ambassador, begins on World Bee Day, 20 May 2021, with more stops ahead – the International Biodiversity Day on 22 May and World Environment Day on 5 June, and finally a celebration of Desertification and Drought Day on 17 June
Growing ambition: the role of the Green Climate Fund in scaling up finance for climate action – GCF
On 18 May 2021, the Wilson Center organized a discussion focused on the role of the Green Climate Fund in scaling up finance for climate action. Ambassador Mark Green, the President of the Wilson Center, opened the discussion with a call to action : “the climate crisis is already here, and so is our opportunity to respond. The world will face huge costs in adapting to climate change, up to $500 billion per year by 2050.” He then raised the biggest unanswered question in climate finance : why does adaptation currently attract only 20% of all climate finance?
Payments for Ecosystem Services: ATIBT publishes three opportunity studies of these services for forestry companies
The studies aim to assess the possibilities for remuneration of environmental and social services provided by certified sustainable forest management companies in the Congo Basin, according to the Vertdeep platform (© Venturexpert) based on the sale of positive impact certificates.
ATIBT publishes its 2020 annual report
... ATIBT’s international recognition as a reliable partner in the tropical forestry sector has increased, receiving several invitations to get involved in new initiatives related to its competencies. As reflected in this annual report, despite the general limitations, ATIBT has been active in the tropical forest policy dialog at national, regional and international levels. The work within the different ATIBT Commissions and working groups has been remarkable, involving members and key partners in reflections about improving the value chain, including ecosystem services, intact forest landscapes, cooperation between certified Congo Basin companies and Asian traders and many others.
DESA Reports on Speedy Formation of SDG Partnerships amid COVID-19 – IISD
The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) has published a study of 36 partnerships working to advance the SDGs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
HLPF Review Agreement Under Silence Procedure – IISD
A silence procedure is underway for UN Member States to agree on changes to the UN Economic and Social Council and the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF).
Practitioners Discuss Boosting Synergies Between Chemicals and Biodiversity Communities – IISD
The intersection of the chemicals management and biodiversity agendas was the focus of a discussion organized by the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), through its Community of Practice on Chemicals and the SDGs.
To Conserve Biodiversity, We Must Protect Our Forests – IISD
As we mark the International Day of Biological Diversity on 22 May, we need to remember that conserving the planet’s biodiversity also means protecting its forests.
Eight Ways Ombuds Institutes Can Contribute to the SDGs - IISD
Ombuds institutes exist in over 100 countries around the world. They are critical players in the social justice landscape and their core mission is to remedy injustice and mediate the relationship between citizens and the authorities.
Restored Land, healthy people, green recovery – UNCCD
Protecting and restoring nature can help drive a green recovery and prevent future pandemics. Investing in nature-based solutions, specifically land restoration, will allow us to build forward better, greener, healthier, stronger, and more sustainably.
Extension of the project "Implementation of a regional approach for the development of PAFC certification systems" – ATIBT
Initially scheduled for June 2021, the end of the project "Implementation of a regional approach for the development of PAFC certification systems" is postponed until the end of June 2022.
IPBES Request for Inputs on Assessment on Sustainable Use of Wild Species, Scoping Reports for Assessments in Rreparation for Eighth Session of IPBES Plenary
The CMS Secretariat would like to draw attention to a call from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) to take part in the review of the second order draft of the chapters and the first order draft of the summary for policy makers of the IPBES sustainable use of wild species assessment.
FAO Forestry Technical Network Webinar-The other climate change: how forests affect climate in ways unrelated to carbon and why it matters
Introduction by Mette Wilkie, Director, Forestry Division, FAO; Presentation by David Kaimowitz, Manager of the Forest and Farm Facility. Thursday, 20 May 2021, 14:00–15:30 CEST. Meeting ID: 910 5757 4898 / Passcode: 67864033
CBFP Facilitation of the Federal Republic of Germany extended until the end of 2022
The announcement was made by the Federal Government of Germany due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has caused delays in the implementation of the Federal Republic of Germany’s CBFP Facilitation roadmap.
WWF to help Divisional Directorate for the Promotion of Indigenous Peoples of the Sangha
WWF will help the Divisional Directorate for the Promotion of Indigenous Peoples of the Sangha build campaigns to popularize Law No. 5-2011 of 25 February 2011 and related legislation on promoting and protecting the rights of indigenous populations.
Central African protected areas: Ecofac 6 program taking stock – lavoixdukoat
The first edition of the Steering Committee of the Regional Support Program for biodiversity and weakened ecosystems in Central Africa launched its proceedings on Tuesday, 4 May 2021 in Douala, Cameroon. Experts in the sub-region will spend three days, starting Tuesday, 4 May 2021, taking stock of progress and identifying prospects for the future.
When will there be billions for the Congo Basin in its major and crucial role in global climate regulation and its ecological services?
In the race to mobilize resources, the result of the "One Planet Summit" for Africa, with a large-scale mobilization for the Great Green Wall, is to be welcomed.
ITTO backs Timber Trade Portal to boost transparency of legal, sustainable timber trade
The Timber Trade Portal (TTP) is an answer to the numerous questions timber traders have when it comes to legal timber trade, due diligence, country requirements and export. It serves as a central information point, with country profiles on both timber industry and legislation of producer countries, mainly located in tropical Africa, Asia and Latin America.
UN Global Compact Bulletin: Introducing Climate Ambition Accelerator
Read : Introducing our Climate Ambition Accelerator; Earth Day Summit in Ukraine; Nature-based approaches to water stewardship; UN global compact leaders’ summit 15–16 june 2021…
Central African forests are unequally vulnerable to global change
An international study coordinated by researchers from IRD and CIRAD reveals the composition of the tropical forests of Central Africa and their vulnerability to the increased pressure from climate change and human activity expected in the coming decades.
Redesign incentives to encourage SFM, says new study - ITTO
The report makes 22 recommendations for governments and stakeholders. For example, it recommends that governments link fiscal incentives to independent third-party certification. One approach explored is a “bonus–malus” mechanism in which a lower tax rate for certified operations (the “bonus”) is funded, at least partly, by the increased rate for uncertified products (the “malus”).
Raising the bar: Strengthening EU biodiversity and climate leadership through FLEGT and Forest Partnerships - FERN
This statement summarises the views of civil society organisations (CSOs) from Asia and the Pacific, the Americas, Europe, and West and Central Africa. These organisations help address the key challenges threatening forests around the world, including the ongoing trade in illegal timber and commodity-driven deforestation, by proposing lasting solutions that work for people and the planet. If the EU follows these recommendations, it will help to strengthen forest governance, and protect and restore forests globally...
Position of European Partners on SIGIF 2 in Cameroon
The commitment of the EU and Germany (through KfW and GIZ) to Cameroon requires the implementation of the most effective instruments. The 2nd generation Forest Information Management System (SIGIF2), developed in Cameroon since 2015, should have been a crucial step in the implementation of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (VPA FLEGT), an international agreement signed 11 years ago between the EU and Cameroon, on the instruction of the Head of State, and ratified by the European and Cameroonian parliaments.
A WWF study points out the responsibility of the European Union in the degradation of tropical forests
This report is a good opportunity to recall the relevance of the sustainable forest management model to preserve forest resources in tropical countries. On the one hand, the use of certified tropical timber gives an economic value to the forest : when timber is a source of income, producing countries are less inclined to convert forest areas into agricultural land. However, to preserve ecosystems, timber imported by the EU must be produced under the principles not only of legality but also of sustainable forest management certification.
Notice of Funding Opportunity: African Elephant Conservation Fund
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is pleased to announce its 2021 African Elephant Conservation Fund Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The proposal submission deadline is 11:59 PM ET, June 25, 2021.
From indirect to direct incentives: the two times of forest-related taxation
There is a long history of academic works and debates on the influence of forest taxes level and structure on forest industry behavior and its impact on sustainable forest management. From these debates, many would argue that forest taxation, used as indirect incentives, does not have a significant potential to change management practices, compared to appropriate regulatory mixes and law enforcement.
ATIBT Flash 23/04/2021
Read : Central African forests vulnerable to global change; A WWF study points out the responsibility of the European Union in the degradation of tropical forests; A new statutory team for COMIFAC…
Preserving the Congo Basin Forests: NGOs call for the FLEGT Action Plan to be maintained
On 13 April 2021, The Federal Republic of Germany Facilitator of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP), Honorable Dr. Christian Ruck, and several international and regional NGOs, including Centre for International Development and Training, Fern, Foder and World Resources Institutes, met virtually to discuss the threats facing forests in Central Africa.
Forest Governance April 2021
For Fern’s civil society partners in several tropical forest countries, most of the past decade’s improvements in forest governance have been wrested from a reluctant timber sector by the pioneering Forest Law Enforcement and Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement (FLEGT-VPA) programme. FLEGT’s insistence on transparency and on prising open decision-making processes previously off limits to civil society organisations (CSOs) has catalysed change, making possible whatever measure of accountability now exists.
President Biden Invites 40 World Leaders to Leaders’ Summit on Climate – President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the DRC and President Ali Bongo Ondimba, Gabon to attend
Today, President Biden invited 40 world leaders to the Leaders’ Summit on Climate he will host on April 22 and 23. The virtual Leaders’ Summit will be live streamed for public viewing.
Brazil needs $10 bln a year in aid for carbon neutrality by 2050 - Congo Basin ?
Brazil says it should receive $10 billion a year in foreign aid, including $1 billion for forests, to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, instead of 2060 as currently planned. What about the forest ecosystems of the Congo Basin?
COMIFAC gets new leadership!
As replacements for outgoing statutory executives, the Extraordinary Council of COMIFAC Ministers have tapped the following as the new statutory executives: Executive Secretary: Mr. Hervé Martial MAIDOU from the Central African Republic; Deputy Executive Secretary-Technical Coordinator: Mr. Chouaibou NCHOUTPOUEN from the Republic of Cameroon; Administrative and Financial Director: Mr. François DAYANG from the Republic of Chad.
Climate crisis and the Congo Basin: The planet’s future may ride on President Tshisekedi’s grip on the DRC – dailymaverick
The Congo Basin’s forests and peatlands are a major component of Earth’s life-support systems, and it is a key supplier of vital minerals needed to build a low carbon economy. The case for the people of the Congo to benefit from not exploiting these resources is irrefutable.
What is the purpose of research in Central African protected areas?
As part of the ECOFAC 6 capitalization program, and in order to help improve the sharing of information between researchers, policy makers and protected area managers in central Africa, we propose that you answer a questionnaire on the usefulness of research for conservation.
JRS Biodiversity Foundation Announces New Executive Director
The JRS Biodiversity Foundation is pleased to announce Matthew Cassetta as its new Executive Director. Cassetta brings over two decades of diverse experience in international diplomacy and project management, much of it focused in Africa on capacity-building and development partnerships.
Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas, March newsletter
Wildlife: during the month of March, the UICN publicly announced two decisions concerning forest elephants. The first one was declaring the forest elephant (Loxodonta Cyclotis) an altogether different species, as until recently it was merely considered a subspecies. The second decision was declaring this species critically endangered.
To benefit people, biodiversity and the climate, EU development programmes must heed local voices – Fern
The EU is the world’s largest aid donor and a major political actor with a strong influence over global policies. The EU recognises civil society as an essential actor in policy making and implementation, specifically in the development sector.
The April CBFP Flash News is available!
To read: The German CBFP Facilitation and COMIFAC are preparing for the 2021 Climate and Biodiversity Conferences of the Parties; Report on landmark deforestation events in 2019; The 2021-2025 Operational Plan of COMIFAC Convergence Plan validated...
Limbe Wildlife Centre: March 2021
March 2021 Highlights: Rescued 1 Black-bellied pangolin; Released 1 Black-bellied pangolin back into the wild; Released 19 African grey parrots into the wild; Finished maintenance of Gorilla group 1 night den; Completed phase 1 of the Gorilla re-enrichment project…
ATIBT Flash News 02/04/2021
Read: Position of European Partners on SIGIF 2 in Cameroon; Only few days left to register for the webinars "The Role of Forest Certification in the EUTR"; ATIBT technical data sheet : quality of plantation species for timber use; "Choosing tropical woods to fight climate change" says Timber Trade Federation...
Forest Watch The latest forest news April 2021: Discarding a decade of effort developing FLEGT licenses or ignoring key land rights in EC proposals to fight deforestation won't keep forests standing
Read: FLEGT ‘Fitness Check’: Abandoning FLEGT licenses would harm forest governance and the legal timber trade; EU Law on deforestation: Key land rights risk being ignored in DG Environment’s proposal; Could the palm oil arrangement between Indonesia and Switzerland offer lessons for EU and Indonesia free trade agreement negotiations?
Governments Discussing Declaration on Recovering Better in Decade of Action for SDGs - IISD
The co-facilitators for the negotiated outcome of the 2021 UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development have issued an outline for consideration. The proposed structure includes sections on: the impact of COVID-19 on the 2030 Agenda; progress towards the SDGs under review in 2021; and accelerated actions to achieve the SDGs.
IRENA Presents Measures Necessary to Drive the Energy Transition - sdg.iisd
The International Renewable Energy (IRENA) has published a preview of its publication, ‘World Energy Transitions Outlook.’ The report reviews technology choices, investment needs, and socio-economic contexts necessary to set the world on a trajectory towards a sustainable, resilient and inclusive energy future.
The German CBFP Facilitation and COMIFAC are preparing for the 2021 Climate and Biodiversity Conferences of the Parties
From 9 to 13 March the COMIFAC Working Group meetings of the Central African Climate and Biodiversity Negotiators took place in Douala, Cameroon. These two meetings were held at the same time and place, with financial support provided by the German cooperation.
Designing Fiscal Instruments for Sustainable Forests - World Bank Group
This publication adds to ongoing work by the World Bank Group on how to better design and incorporate fiscal policy within the climate and sustainable development policy mix. The publication shows how various fiscal reforms can positively influence forest conservation while freeing up resources that can be used for national development.
Protect faster, Restore stronger.
Environmental issues affect us all. As is it, the planet is moving towards a global warming of 3°C by 2100. This is not the future we want. Forests, our first carbon sink within submerged land, are however in critical danger, with the possible savannahisation of the Amazon and tropical forests that could eventually turn into proper CO2 emitters. Faced with these projections, that involve unimaginable socio-economic consequences, our absolute priority can be summed up in a single word: reduction. Reducing our carbon footprint. Reducing deforestation. Reducing the degradation of forests. Reducing them increasingly and continuously.
How fiscal policy can help save forests - worldbank
The world is facing unprecedented economic and environmental challenges. While climate change increasingly poses risks to macroeconomic and fiscal stability, deforestation and forest degradation impair the ability of forests to act as carbon sinks and reduce the resiliency of local communities to climate damages. The loss and decay of forests also threaten global biodiversity, the provision of ecosystem services, and other core ecological functions that economies worldwide rely on.
How can NDCs contribute to forest governance & resilient local communities? - Fern
Fern’s report Beyond commitments: How can Nationally Determined Contributions contribute to forest governance and resilient local communities? looks at progress, challenges, and opportunities in six African countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Liberia, and Republic of the Congo.
Nature-based recovery – essential for people and planet - UICN
The undeniable connection between nature, human health, and economic well-being has become more evident than ever during this time of crisis. Resilience is in our nature: IUCN and its Members are working to ensure a nature-based recovery that can deliver sustainable solutions, providing a foundation for a healthier relationship between humanity and the planet.
Gabon on the road to wood construction- ATIBT
As indicated on the Fordaq website, Hans Fahrni, CEO of FACO Construction, is pleased with the effects of the log export ban on the timber industry in Gabon, where the majority of the forest area is FSC-certified (the government's goal is to certify all of them within 4 years).
ATIBT and the Malaysian Timber Council, common issues for the future of tropical timber - ATIBT
The ATIBT and the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) have recently held several online meetings to clarify their common issues for the development of a responsible tropical timber sector. These meetings have been preceded in recent years by annual meetings.
Renewables in Cities 2021 Global Status Report –UNEP
REN21’s Renewables in Cities Global Status Report (REC) series provides an overview of the status, trends and developments of renewable energy in cities, using the most up-to-date information and data available. The REC’s neutral, fact-based approach documents in detail the annual developments in policies, markets, investments and citizen action, with a particular focus on renewables in public, residential and commercial buildings as well as public and private urban transport. This report aims to inform decision makers and to create an active exchange of views and information around urban renewable energy.
Forest restoration could ringfence $6.3 trillion in ecosystem services – CIFOR
The price of deforestation and degradation is enormous, said Robert Nasi, director general of CIFOR and managing director of CIFOR-ICRAF, speaking at the Global Forest Summit.
Britain’s Prince Charles says circular economy powered by nature crucial for recovery - CIFOR
The crisis provoked by the coronavirus pandemic offers a chance to shift from a fossil-fuel based economy to a nature-based circular bioeconomy, said Britain’s heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles on Friday.
UK-Norway Collaborative Initiative Seeks to Boost Climate Finance – IISD
The UK and Norway launched an initiative on sustainable finance that will serve as a platform for British and Norwegian financial institutions to share knowledge and best practices focused on actionable climate solutions in the financial sector and explore the regulatory frameworks and investment decisions that would be necessary to achieve a zero-emissions economy.
Informal Talks on Biodiversity Framework Surface Fundamental Differences – IISD
The post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF) took center stage at the informal meeting in preparation for the third meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI-3), convened by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
SDG 6 Acceleration Efforts Underway as Data Shows Targets Off Track - IISD
UN-Water convened a three-day event to discuss accelerating progress towards water and sanitation for all by 2030, and a report that indicates ambitions for 2030 remain off-track. Participants were briefed on the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework, upcoming high-level events on water, and the preparatory process for the 2023 UN conference for the midterm review of the Water Action Decade.
Tackling Corruption in a Time of Crisis – Traffic
The pandemic has tragically claimed millions of lives and placed countries in complete economic and social lockdown, with the threat of a global recession looming. But the pandemic is not just an immediate human health crisis; it also poses a long-term socio-economic ramifications for people who depend on natural resources such as timber, fisheries and wildlife.
Forest restoration: why offsetting could derail the path to recovery and well-being
This Sunday, 21 March, is the United Nations International Day of Forests (IDF), intended to celebrate and raise global awareness of the importance of forests. The theme is "Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being", a cause that Fern championed in our recent report looking at how rights-based forest restoration can empower communities, recover biodiversity, and tackle the climate crisis. It also explained that forest restoration must never be used to greenwash other sectors' lack of action towards climate objectives.
GCF signs partner agreements hours after Board approval -GCF
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) and its partners have signed implementation agreements for two new climate finance projects only hours after they were approved by the GCF Board.
A ‘vaccine’ for tropical forests? - GCF
Elon Musk tweeted earlier this year that he would be "donating $100 million towards a prize for best carbon capture technology”. Out of 600 thousand likes and retweets, twenty thousand corresponded to a brilliant solution: “A tree”. The Tesla boss responded that trees were, indeed, part of the solution, but that we may require something that is “ultra-large-scale industrial in 10 to 20 years”. The sense of acting ‘urgently’ and at ‘scale’ are clearly central to the concepts of innovations announced in his offer.
German climate finance: state of play and 2020 challenges
19. February 2020 | In the past, Germany has been among the more ambitious providers of financial assistance to developing countries’ efforts to adapt to a changing climate and cut or avoid greenhouse gas emissions.
Pastoralism and Conflict: Tools for Prevention and Response in the Sudano-Sahel
The findings and recommendations in this Toolkit were identified based on a meta-review of program evaluations and scholarly research in French and English, supplemented by a series of key informant interviews with program implementers. The Toolkit was validated through review by an Advisory Council of external civil society practitioners and researchers as well as practitioners from Search for Common Ground’s field offices across the Sudano-Sahel (Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Nigeria, Niger, South Sudan, Sudan).
Not Too Late to Undo Forest Damage, Secretary-General Says, in Message for International Day, while Warning ‘We Risk a Point of No Return - UN
Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the International Day of Forests, observed on 21 March: Humanity’s well-being is inextricably linked to the health of our planet. Forests play a crucial role.
Monthly Newsletter, February 2021, Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park
February saw the 13th session of our Advisory Board meeting, held in Brazzaville, where our workplan and budget for 2021 were finalised and approved. This year will see a whole host of developments from the park - from new construction, including schools, markets and clean-water pumps, to new projects, such as the Makao community pharmacy, due to be launched in March 2021. We here at the park look forward to getting stuck into these challenges.
28 Green Climate Fund Board meeting approves 15 new projects, USD 1.2 billion for climate action: The Congo Basin named among the beneficiaries which include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic
The following projects are relevant to the Congo Basin: (1)USD 29 million for PREFOREST CONGO - Project aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from forests in five departments in the Republic of Congo with the FAO (FP159) – (2) USD 280 million for Sustainable Renewables Risk Mitigation Initiative (SRMI) Facility with World Bank in Botswana, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Mali, Namibia, Uzbekistan (FP163) – (3) - USD 82.8 million for The Africa Integrated Climate Risk Management Programme: Building resilience of smallholder farmers to climate change impacts in 7 Sahelian Countries of the Great Green Wall (GGW) with IFAD in Burkina Faso, Chad, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal (FP162).
TRIDOM is a forested area that spans Cameroon, the Republic of Congo and Gabon. It contains
large numbers of elephants, chimpanzees and gorillas, as well as numerous other species and habitats. The area covers some 178,000 square kilometres, 97 percent of which is forest, making it a large and productive carbon sink. Illegal logging, large-scale mining, poaching, and forest conversion for commodity crops has made the area vulnerable and is threatening its ecosystem. A comprehensive effort is underway to combat wildlife crime, designate protected areas and institute sustainable forest management. The World Bank Carbon Fund has earmarked $280 million in climate finance to reduce forest emissions in the area.
GCA signs Memorandum of Understanding with African Adaptation Initiative - GCA
The African Adaptation Initiative and GCA consolidated their partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to support African leadership to accelerate climate change adaptation across the continent.
RFUK supports civil society call for the immediate cancellation of three million hectares of illegal logging concessions in DRC
RFUK, Greenpeace and Congolese civil society groups are calling on the DRC Government to revoke three million hectares of illegal logging concessions or risk wrecking its image on the international climate stage.
Celebrating women in leadership: experiences of women in the fight to protect the world's rainforests - Rainforest Foundation UK
RFUK has long understood that women have a central role to play in protecting and managing the world’s rainforests. They are the main providers of food, water and medicine to their families, who depend greatly on rainforests for their livelihoods. They hold vast traditional knowledge of their forests and their biodiversity. This understanding informs our work and that of our partner organisations in Africa and Peru. We look to help women to defend their rights and to play a greater role in deciding how their traditional forests are managed.
Carbon dioxide removal: trade-offs, governance gaps and irretrievable risk - FERN
In the upcoming Trilogue negotiations on the European Climate Law, there is a crucial choice to be made about the balance between emission reductions in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and Effort Sharing Regulation sectors, and carbon removals in the Land Use, Land Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF) sector. Near-term emission reductions with only minimum reliance on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) are hugely important to avoid both intolerable risks of overshooting 1.5°C rise, and of aggravating the social risks of large-scale CDR.
A restaurant in the rainforest- WCS
While business opportunities are scarce in small villages of northern Congo, determination, skill, and support from her community helped Maman Saida to open her own restaurant in Bomassa, at the entrance of Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. An amazing story of success that deserves to be highlighted on this International Women Day....
The Great Green Wall Initiative - NCCD
The Great Green Wall is a symbol of hope in the face of one of the biggest challenges of our time – desertification. Launched in 2007 by the African Union, this game-changing African-led initiative aims to restore Africa’s degraded landscapes and transform millions of lives in one of the world’s poorest regions, the Sahel. Once complete, the Wall will be the largest living structure on the planet – an 8,000 km natural wonder of the world stretching across the entire width of the continent.
New TRAFFIC-WWF report reveals France’s role in the legal and illegal trade in endangered species
In a new report launched on World Wildlife Day, WWF and TRAFFIC highlight mainland France’s and French overseas’ role in the trade of CITES1 species. With millions of wildlife specimens in trade to/from France each year, France is a significant trader in the EU. Accordingly, France also has a key role to play in preventing the over-exploitation of wildlife, by continuing to ensure the effective implementation of CITES and combating wildlife trafficking.
National forest monitoring capacity increases worldwide, research shows – CIFOR
Keeping tabs on the quantity of carbon stored in forests is a vital part of global efforts to curb planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. Protecting and sustainably managing forests could contribute up to 30 percent of the goal established by the U.N. Paris Agreement on climate change, which aims to prevent mean annual temperatures from rising more than 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times.
Strategic forest and landscape restoration for bioenergy and human survival – CIFOR
Developing biofuel-based regenerative supply systems can deliver much-needed energy to consumers in the global south and prevent the collapse of ecosystems, while contributing to the efficiency of a circular bioeconomy, according to scientists.
No Offsetting With Forests - FERN
This letter was sent to President of the European Commission von der Leyen, Executive Vice-President Timmermans, Commissioner Simson, Commissioner Sinkevičus , Minister Matos Fernandes, MEP Guteland and other Members of the European Parliament, and Members of Coreper II.
Fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization
Reference is made to Notification 2020-050 issued on 14 July 2020, by which the Secretariat had informed Parties and observers of revised dates (17 to 30 May 2021) for the Fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, and the Fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization.
IDF 2021: Four things you need to know about forests and health-UN
Forests are good for our physical and mental wellbeing. Spending time around trees helps boost our immune system, lowers blood pressure and promotes relaxation. From cleaner air to providing natural cooling and the freshwater we drink, forests support our health in ways that may not be visible.
IDF 2021: Forest restoration provides a path to pandemic recovery, greener future (UN News)
Liu Zhenmin, head of the UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), issued the call during a virtual event to commemorate the International Day of Forests, observed annually on 21 March. He said the forest sector has provided essential and lifesaving health products during the pandemic, such as face masks, cleaning supplies and ethanol used in sanitizers.
New 2021 dates announced for UN Biodiversity Convention meetings -11-24 October 2021 - CBD
The lead up to the UN Biodiversity Conference in Kunming, China, provides the global community with further opportunities to galvanize efforts at all levels to build a better future in harmony with nature.
Report: Major deforestation events in Cameroon in 2019
The 2019 Annual Report on Major Deforestation Events (EMD), based on the Global Land Analysis and Discovery (GLAD) Alert Tools, whose first issue is presented here was produced by the Forest Cover Monitoring Operational Unit (UOSCF), established by Decree No. 0086/ MINFOF/C2D-PSFE2 of May 18, 2016.
Only a third of the tropical rainforest remains intact - Regnskog
The world’s first complete historical and current overview reveals that two thirds of the tropical rainforest on Earth are gone or degraded. Rainforest Foundation Norway launches the unique State of the Tropical Rainforest Report at the beginning of a significant year for environmental protection, with the UN biodiversity and climate change summits providing opportunities for accelerated global efforts.
Financing adaptation to climate change: at the global environment facility
Since the start of GEF-7 in 2018, the LDCF has approved 51 new LDCF projects for close to $350 million in grant resources in 38 out of the 47 LDCs:Afghanistan, Angol, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Lao PDR, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Sudan,Tanzania, The Gambia, Timor Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Yemen, Zambia...
The EU and GIZ support Garoua Wildlife School by providing communication equipment for field work
Cooperation between the Garoua Wildlife School, the European Union and Germany. On Tuesday, 16 February 2021, the official handing over ceremony of camping and field communication equipment took place at the Garoua School of Wildlife.
The 2021-2025 Operational Plan of COMIFAC Convergence Plan validated
Under the high patronage of Mr. Jules Doret NDONGO, the Cameroon Minister of Forestry and Wildlife and Acting Chairman of the Central African Forest Commission (COMIFAC) and with the support of German Cooperation through the GIZ " Regional Project to Support COMIFAC", a sub-regional workshop was held from March 1 to 4, 2021 in Douala, Cameroon, to validate the 2021-2025 Operational Plan of the Sub-regional Convergence Plan and report on the first conclusions of the mid-term evaluation of the same Plan.
Press release: Humanitarian and environmental organizations call for sustainable and more judicious management of landscapes harbouring displaced people
Yaoundé, March 5, 2021 - The Central African region is gripped by several humanitarian crises, resulting in high numbers of displaced people (refugees and internally displaced persons), especially in the Central African Republic, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
CPLC Newsletter-March 2021
Read: A webinar series organized by the World Bank's Partnership for Market Readiness (PMR) to celebrate a decade of collective work on carbon pricing; Regional Working Group Calls…
Limbe Wildlife Centre: February 2021
February at the LWC has delivered more hurdles than we could have imagined, after an already very challenging few months. Not only are we still recovering from the loss of our beloved Akiba and the second wave of Covid-19 hitting Cameroon, but we are experiencing a calamitous epidemic among our drill population. Thankfully our dedicated vet team was able to contain the outbreak with only a few casualties, but are now left with a large deficit in our budget, leaving us very vulnerable to any future unforeseen situations.
Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas Newsletter February 2021
Read: Wildlife: The pangolin has never been a particularly eye-catching species, unlike others such as elephants, gorillas or whales, or even a well-known one…. Discover the Biodiversity of the DSPA: The main characteristic that this mammal possesses is that it is covered in big scales over the majority of its body… Community Development…
Congo Basin Community Report #7
On behalf of the FSC team that works with tropical timber and forestry, I will briefly present our seventh newsletter. An introduction that usually is done by our dear colleague Ben Romein, who unfortunately is on sick leave at the moment. We are happy to hear that he is doing better and we can’t wait to get him back on the team.
CIB International Women's Day Special Edition 2021
For 26 Congolese women, this year’s International Women’s Day will be remembered as the beginning of an unprecedented journey towards a livelihood they could never otherwise have imagined – and along the way, educating their husbands, families and future co-workers on equality and empowerment.
Concrete Steps to Energy Transition are Focus of First Discussions for 2021 Summit – IISD
UN entities and energy experts have launched substantive preparations for a summit-level meeting on energy in September 2021. Five thematic working groups are meeting virtually to identify roadmaps to achieving SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. The High-level Dialogue on Energy will be convened by the UN Secretary-General under the auspices of the UN General Assembly.
Logging and mines occupy Baka Pygmy hunting areas in Cameroon –CIFOR
Pushed off their customary lands and severed from their traditional way of life, Indigenous communities living on roadsides in the tropical forests of Central Africa face perilous conditions. The livelihoods of about 10,000 Baka Pygmies in southeastern Cameroon are in jeopardy, according to a new study in Scientific Reports led by scientists with the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), which shows their available hunting area is at risk.
PARTNERSHIP IN ACTION REPORT 2019: lessons from the climate action frontline
Three years on, the NDC Partnership’s hard work is bearing fruit. Together, we are producing country led plans that offer a pathway to achieving the low-carbon, climate-resilient societies envisaged by the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Across the world, our country members and institutional partners collaborate to cut economy-wide emissions, build sustainable communities, mobilize financial and technical support, and engage civil society.
GCF signs public-private partnership agreements to launch Global Subnational Climate Fund
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has joined forces with Pegasus Capital Advisors and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in an innovative bundling of public-private financing to plug a funding gap for sub-national climate initiatives.
GCF commits to support climate resilient transformation at Climate Adaptation Summit - GCF
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is heeding calls to help developing countries bolster their defences against the increasingly damaging effects of climate change, while overcoming COVID-19 fiscal constraints.
OPINION: Climate action offers a hidden peace dividend - News.Trust
On Feb. 23, the United Nations Security Council will meet to discuss the threat that climate change poses to global peace. The question is no longer whether global warming sparks the flames of conflict; it is about where climate shocks are likely to tip already fragile situations into war or civil strife.
Climate Anxiety Highlighted at Youth Environment Assembly –IISD
The Children and Youth Major Group to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) organized a virtual Youth Environment Assembly to coordinate, mobilize, and build capacity ahead of the fifth UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5). Participation was open to any youth and youth organizations to discuss and identify their broader priorities for environmental action.
2021 Desertification and Drought Day
The 2021 Desertification and Drought Day to be held on 17 June will focus on turning degraded land into healthy land. Restoring degraded land brings economic resilience, creates jobs, raises incomes and increases food security. It helps biodiversity to recover. It locks away the atmospheric carbon warming the Earth, slowing climate change. It can also lessen the impacts of climate change and underpin a green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
20 May | High-level dialogue on desertification, land degradation and drought
Land is the foundation of our societies and is a cornerstone to global food security and environmental health, zero hunger, poverty eradication and affordable energy. It underpins the success of the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Developmen, and yet this finite resource is under existential threat.
Post-2020 global biodiversity framework must focus on sustainable use, strong indicators and the links with human health
Cambridge, UK: 16th February 2020 - With governments meeting this week to discuss targets and indicators for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, TRAFFIC urges Parties to strengthen global efforts to ensure trade and use of species is legal, at sustainable levels and safe, and effectively measure progress on the implementation of these efforts.
March recap newsletter: Building back better through the Landscape Agenda
Read: Building back better through the Landscape Agenda; Update on 1000 Landscapes for 1 Billion People initiative; Join our virtual FAO-EcoAgriculture Partners Independent Dialogue for the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) on March 30th “Strengthening landscape partnerships”...
World Wildlife Day 2021
World Wildlife Day will be celebrated in 2021 under the theme "Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet", as a way to highlight the central role of forests, forest species and ecosystems services in sustaining the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people globally, and particularly of Indigenous and local communities with historic ties to forested and forest-adjacent areas.
Report on landmark deforestation events in 2019
This 2019 Annual Report on Landmark Deforestation Events (LDEs) based on Global Land Analysis and Discovery (GLAD) alert tools, the first of its kind, is produced by the Operational Unit for Forest Cover Monitoring (UOSCF), set up by Order No 0086/MINFOF/C2D-PSFE2 of 18 May 2016.
Greater Climate Ambition Urged as Initial NDC Synthesis Report Is Published – unfccc
Bonn/ New York, 26 February 2021 – UN Climate Change today published the Initial NDC Synthesis Report, showing nations must redouble efforts and submit stronger, more ambitious national climate action plans in 2021 if they’re to achieve the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature rise by 2°C—ideally 1.5°C—by the end of the century.
Informal consultations by the COP 25 Presidency and the COP 26 incoming-Presidency
The COP 25 Presidency and the incoming COP 26 Presidency will hold monthly multilateral consultations with Group Chairs and Heads of Delegation covering topics that will be central to COP 26. The monthly multilateral consultations are stepping stones to COP 26: a chance for Parties to move together towards COP 26, identifying and testing solutions to key topics along the way.
World risks ‘collapse of everything’ without strong climate action, Attenborough warns Security Council – UN
Climate shocks such as record high temperatures and a “new normal” of wildfires, floods and droughts, are not only damaging the natural environment, said UN chief António Guterres, but also threatening political, economic and social stability.
Poor data dents Africa’s sustainable development goals implementation– UNECA
Brazzaville, Congo, March 2, 2021 (ECA) - Good quality data and statistics are important for informing development decisions and Africa should not be found wanting as it seeks to meet the global 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and Africa’s Agenda 2063, experts say.
Africa’s economic downturn affects continent’s progress in implementing SDGs – UNECA
Brazzaville, Congo, March 2, 2021 (ECA) – Before the onset of the deadly novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Africa was recording positive growth rates but not enough to achieve the sustainable development goals, says Economic Commission for Africa’s Bartholomew Armah.
514 million Africans risk falling below extreme poverty line in 2021 due to COVID-19 – UNECA
Brazzaville, Congo, March 2nd, 2020 (ECA) - Can African countries still achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030? African growth trajectories and the impact of COVID19 are currently shedding doubts on countries’ ability to reach this objective, unless the region achieves faster growth than before the pandemic in the upcoming years.
ECA, five other partners host Regional Roundtable on Investment Facilitation for Development - UNECA
Addis Ababa, 2 March 2021, ECA – The Economic commission for Africa (ECA) in collaboration with five other partners is organizing a two-day high-level event on investment facilitation for development for African countries starting on 3 March.
How ABCG is Implementing Community Forestry in the Democratic Republic of Congo: WRI’s Natural Resources Policy Specialist Explains - ABCG
Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) is the management, by communities or smallholders, of forests and agroforests they own, as well as the management of state-owned forests (some of which share customary tenure and rights under traditional laws and practice) by communities.
DRC: 2nd verification of milestones -CAFI
The second independent verification of the milestones of the Letter of Intent between the DRC and CAFI analysed the level of achievement of intermediate milestones (2018) and progress towards final milestones (2020).
Mapping international funding flows to support forest and environmental sectors in Central Africa
The objective of this study was to map out international funding flows, which will support the forest and environmental sectors in CA. This will serve as background for the policy analysis paper. Specific objectives include: (a) analysis of financing flows directed to CA over the last decade in support of nature conservation, sustainable forest management and climate change; (b) presentation of themes or areas covered by the current financing flows and identification of possible imbalances and gaps; (c) provision of a comparative analysis between financing flows to CA and those directed to Tropical America (Amazon Basin) and Tropical Asia (Southeast Asia); and (d) identification of needs and opportunities for financing the forest and environmental sectors of CA.
DRC: Ministry of Environment rectifies allegations in Greenpeace report
"The Minister does not allocate new forest concessions", reacts the Minister of the Environment who reminds that the law establishing the Forest Code “provides for the procedure to strip a concessionaire of his rights. (Articles 114 to 116).”
New illegal forest concessions in the DRC: the Environment Minister has done it again – Greenpeace
Kinshasa, February 11, 2021 – Greenpeace Africa calls on the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, to order the immediate cancellation of four illegal forest concession contracts signed last June 11 by the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Claude Nyamugabo. Greenpeace Africa calls on the public prosecutor to open proceedings.
Making Peace With Nature - UNEP
The first UNEP synthesis report is titled: “Making Peace With Nature: A scientific blueprint to tackle the climate, biodiversity and pollution emergencies” and is based on evidence from global environmental assessments.
Making Peace With Nature: A scientific blueprint to tackle the climate, biodiversity and pollution emergencies – UNEP
The report flags the interlinkages between our environmental and development challenges and describes the roles of all parts of society in the transformations needed for a sustainable future.
Since 2013, ATIBT has implemented a major program to involve the private sector in FLEGT, REDD+ and certification processes. This program is currently coming to an end after 7 years of implementation in 5 countries.
Since 2013, ATIBT has implemented a major program to involve the private sector in FLEGT, REDD+ and certification processes. This program is currently coming to an end after 7 years of implementation in 5 countries.
Virtual regional roundtables 3-4 March: Africa Climate Week 2021 (ACW2021), hosted by the Government of Uganda Regional Climate Weeks to Drive Forward Climate Action in 2021 and 2022 (UNFCC)
UN Climate Change News, 1 February – The UN Climate Change Secretariat today announced Regional Climate Weeks in 2021 and 2022, key meetings that will help build regional momentum for the annual UN Climate Change Conferences and drive forward regional implementation of the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
The Honourable Dr Christian Ruck, CBFP Facilitator of the Federal Republic of Germany speaks at "COP CHEZ NOUS" event organized by Central African Youth Network for Forests (REJEFAC).
The workshop held from 02 to 04 February 2021 comes after the "second CBFP Civil Society Day" organized on 10 December 2020 in Kinshasa with the support of the German CBFP Facilitation.
Sustainable Cooling in Support of a Resilient and Climate-Proof Recovery
To inspire and support these actions, the Cool Coalition and the Climate & Clean Air Coalition have developed a brief that outlines shovel-ready strategies, best practices and case studies from around the world.
Acknowledgements and press release COP CHEZ NOUS (“COP in our city” in French) held from 02 to 04 February 2021: Civil society prepares for Pre COP 15 (CDB) and Pre COP Climate 26
From 2 to 4 February 2021, the auditorium of the French Institute of Cameroon in Yaoundé hosted the fifth edition of the "COP CHEZ NOUS" organized by the Association Jeunesse Verte du Cameroun (AJVC) which runs the Technical Secretariat of the Central African Youth Network for the Sustainable Management of Forest and Wetland Ecosystems (REJEFAC).
Highlights and images of main proceedings for 11 February 2021 – IISD
The Policy Council on “Safer, Resilient and Sustainable Cities, Capable of Facing Crises” convened on Thursday, 11 February. The Council is co-chaired by Fatimetou Abdel Malick, President of the Nouakchott Regional Council, Mauritania, Johnny Araya, Mayor of San José, Costa Rica, Co-President of UCLG, and Sami Kanaan, Mayor of Geneva, Switzerland.
Illegal logging soars during Covid-19 pandemic in Congo Basin - CIDT
A study by the University of Wolverhampton’s Centre for International Development and Training (CIDT), has revealed that global climate goals and livelihoods of forest communities are at risk due to increased illegal logging in the forests of the Congo Basin.
Climate Adaptation Summit Launches Adaptation Action Agenda 2030 - IISD
The Climate Adaptation Summit (CAS) 2021 launched the Adaptation Action Agenda 2030 and Decade of Action, establishing practical climate adaptation solutions and plans leading to 2030. The Adaptation Action Agenda 2030, which will guide the Decade of Action towards 2030, joins over 50 partners to establish initiatives aimed at concrete actions and partnerships to increase climate resiliency.
UNEP’s Adaptation Gap Report Focuses on Nature-based Solutions - IISD
Capping a year that was one of the three warmest on record, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) released its fifth Adaptation Gap Report, finding that although many nations have advanced in adaptation planning, developing countries face a significant gap in adaptation finance.
New Master in Wood Sciences at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Montpellier, with a focus on tropical wood - ATIBT
The first school year of the Master of Wood Sciences will start in September 2021 at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Montpellier to train executives, engineers and future researchers, who will be the driving force behind development and innovation in local and tropical companies in the Forest-Wood sector and research laboratories.
Two new short films to sensitize the actors of the forest-wood sector to be viewed quickly - ATIBT
Within the framework of the FLEGT-REDD, FLEGT-IP and FLEGT certification projects (financed respectively by the Fonds Français pour l'Environnement, the European Union and the PPECF), the Syndicat des Producteurs Industriels du Bois en Côte d'Ivoire (SPIB), the Union des Forestier et Industriels du Bois du Gabon (UFIGA) and ATIBT have commissioned the production of short films to raise awareness among stakeholders in the forest and timber sector on major issues involving the private sector.
SWM Programme - White Paper and Advisory Note "Build Back Better in a Post-Covid-19 World: Reducing future Wildlife-borne spillover of disease to Humans"
Following the GLF Biodiversity’s One World - One Health online conference, during which the Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme ( SWM) launched the White paper and Advisory Note entitled : “Build Back Better in a Post-Covid-19 world: Reducing future wildlife-borne spillover of disease to humans”, we are delighted to announce that the publications are now available in French.
Contribution Note of the DRC’s Environmental Civil Society Organizations to the Revision of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), December 2020
Held as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), COP21 resulted in the Paris Agreement, which was ratified by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2016.
Dia village in Sembé district (Sangha department) celebrates first year back to school after more than 4 years with schools closed – WWF
In the small remote village of Dia, on the edge of Messok Dja, one of the last sanctuaries of forest elephants and great apes in the world, children had been out of school for over 4 years. In July 2016, Ezra and his friends celebrated the end of the school year. Little did they know it would be their last school year "No one dreamed that would be our last day of school!” He recalls.
The ENNEDI reserve or the birth of a protected area – APEF
With its creation being supported by the APEF Program and spearheaded by the APN, the Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve (ENCR) was officially created in February 2019. Managed since its creation by the African Parks Network (APN), the ENCR is Chad’s newest protected area. As it enters its third year of management, the balance sheet is quite positive for this reserve spanning 40,000 km² on the edge of the Sahara.
Re-introducing oryx and addax to Chad: a dream come true – APEF
Since 2000, the Scimitar-horned Oryx, a species once scattered across North Africa, has been classified as "extinct in the wild" by the Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
When the market gives back: new video portrays sustainable forest-based development in Guatemala – ITTO
A video produced by ITTO and Guatemala’s National Forest Institute shows how communities are developing forest-based businesses with legal and sustainable supply chains, including an enterprise making wood-based kitchenware and another creating novelty items using pine needles. The two ventures are increasing incomes along with support for sustainable forest management and inspiring others.
Join us for the CV4C webinar series: Achievements, reflections and food for thought
If you have an interest in forest monitoring and learning first-hand about how forests in the Congo basin are managed for conservation, nature, economic development and livelihoods then we’d like to invite you to a webinar series taking place from 22-26 February 2021 via Zoom marking the end of the Citizen Voice for Change (CV4C) project.
ATIBT CONGO : A new project with the support of the British cooperation - ATIBT
A contract to support private sector involvement in the FLEGT VPA process in the Republic of Congo was signed on January 12, 2021 between EFI (under FCDO funding) and ATIBT. With the aim of improving the sustainable management of its forest resources, the Republic of Congo embarked in 2008 on the negotiation of a FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the European Union. The agreement officially entered into force on 1 March 2013.
Gabon aims to be the world champion in processed tropical timber by 2023 -ATIBT
Gabon presents its ambitions for the timber industry through the “2021-2023 acceleration plan”. This plan aims to accelerate the diversification of Gabon's economy. The country's objective is to become the world leader in processed tropical wood. "We are already the leading producer of plywood in Africa. We can be by 2023 the leader of processed tropical wood in the world," said the Prime Minister on January 18, by presenting this development strategy.
Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park Monthly update december 2020
SUMMARY: The Park was honored to host a visit by the Minister of Forest Economy, Ms Rosalie Matondo, and her delegation, to the Park’s HQ in Bomassa. During her visit, the Minister gained a better understanding of the challenges faced by biodiversity conservation and met with civil society in Bomassa....
Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas - Newsletter December 2020
December 29th 1990, Dzanga Sangha is declared a protected area. In 1980 the Ministry of the Environment of the Central African Republic asked Richard Carroll, (who at the moment was studying the ecology of the last of the black rhinos in the northern parks of the Country), to explore the forest region of Dzanga Sangha as a potential wildlife sanctuary for bongo and other fauna.
2020 Achievements and ways forward - 17th Board Meeting-CAFI
For the third time this year, over 80 people - donors, partner countries, agencies and technical experts- have gathered virtually from 9 to 13 November for CAFI’s 17th Executive meeting...
Looking for the positives - TFU
We bid farewell to 2020 with little regret—it has been an unusually difficult year for most, including in the tropical forest sector. But even in these grimmest of times, there is cause for optimism. With the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration upon us, the latest edition of the TFU presents stories about restoring and sustainably using forests. We look forward to 2021 in solidarity and hope.
Germany increases support for adaptation to climate change in particularly vulnerable countries -BMZ
BERLIN – At today's online Climate Adaptation Summit, Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged 220 million euros for enhanced support for the least developed countries' efforts to adapt to climate change and for the expansion of climate insurance programmes. Part of the funding will be provided in the form of loans. The Climate Adaptation Summit serves to prepare COP26, which is to be held in Glasgow at the end of this year. The funding comes from the budget of the German Development Ministry.
The CDM Executive Board Agrees on Temporary Measures to Address COP26 Postponement - UNFCCC
UN Climate Change News, 16 December 2020 – The Executive Board of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) concluded its 108th meeting this Monday and agreed on temporary measures to apply to CDM activities generating emission reductions after 2020. These measures will be applied until the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP) provides needed guidance at its next meeting in Glasgow in November 2021.
Improving the monitoring of forest and landscape restoration in africa - AFR100
Meeting restoration targets requires a holistic system to track and document progress while consistently improving management practices. Tracking restoration will help governments, local communities and NGOs show the progress made on their commitments and scale up successful projects, and positive results will inspire donors to continue investing (WRI 2020).
HUGE LEAP IN FIGHT AGAINST IMPUNITY FOR CONSERVATION-RELATED ABUSES IN DRC AS PARK RANGERS ARE SENTENCED FOR RAPE AND TORTURE – Rainforest Foundation UK
On 28 December 2020, five park rangers accused of raping and torturing four women in DRC’s Salonga National Park were convicted by the Military Court in Mbandaka, following a long battle for justice supported by the Rainforest Foundation UK (RFUK) and its local partner Actions pour la Promotion et Protection des Peuples et Espèces Menacés (APEM).
The EU's watershed deforestation moment? –Fern
This week Ursula von der Leyen signalled the EU’s desire to lead the world in the fight against global deforestation. But if the key drivers of deforestation aren’t addressed, progress will remain limited.
What is community forestry? - FERN
We use the term ‘community forestry’ as when “communities have the right to manage the forest resources upon which they depend, with a view to improving their living conditions.” This definition was agreed when Fern's partners met in 2014. Participants wanted to highlight that the term ‘community forestry’ refers to forest management by and from the point of view of communities.
Digital course on preventing wildlife trafficking in the supply chain now available in multiple languages - TRAFFIC
Cambridge UK, 5th January 2021 – The course ‘Prevention on Wildlife Trafficking’ launched by FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations and TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, is now available free of charge in seven languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish).
Customs in China and Laos Unite in Pivotal Meeting to Combat the Smuggling of Endangered Wildlife Across their Borders –TRAFFIC
China / UK, 8th January 2021—Customs officials in China and Laos met in a ground-breaking virtual forum to discuss the future measures both countries can take to combat illegal wildlife trafficking across their borders.
UNFCCC Closes 2020 with 28 Long-term Low-emission Development Strategies – IISD
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, the Republic of Korea, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Sweden have communicated their long-term low greenhouse gas (GHG) emission development strategies (LEDS) to the UNFCCC, bringing the total number of LEDS to 28. According to the Paris Agreement on climate change, “all Parties should strive to formulate and communicate long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies” to the UNFCCC by 2020.
Governments Adopt Four-Year Guidance to UN Development System –IISD
The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution providing guidance to the UN Development System for the next four years. The 2020 Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) resolution lays out how the UN system should be helping countries implement the 2030 Agenda and respond to COVID-19.
Results-based payments in Indonesia: A strategy to move REDD+ forward? – CIFOR ANALYSIS
After more than a decade of working toward qualifying for payments under the REDD+ (Reducing Emissions caused by Deforestation and Forest Degradation) scheme, Indonesia received its first results-based financial rewards last year.
Sahel region: the African Development Bank pledges to mobilise $6.5 Billion in support of the Great Green Wall Initiative-AFDB
The Sahel region's Great Green Wall Initiative received a major boost from the African Development Bank on Monday. During a forum hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, the Bank pledged to assist in mobilising up to $6.5 billion over five years, to advance the landmark initiative.
White paper states prospects for China's international development cooperation - CIDCA
BEIJING - China will do everything within its means to promote international cooperation and inject its strength into global development, according to a white paper issued Sunday.
African Development Bank President Adesina named a champion of Africa’s Great Green Wall climate-adaptation initiative -AFDB
African Development Bank President Akinwumi A. Adesina has been announced as a champion of Africa’s Great Green Wall (GGW) initiative. The appointment was made at a forum held in the margins of the One Planet Summit 2021 to mobilise support for the ambitious project to plant an 8,000 km swathe of trees and other vegetation across the Sahara and Sahel regions of Africa.
Adaptation Fund Raises Nearly US$ 116 Million in New Pledges for Adaptation Action in Most Vulnerable Countries - Adaptation-Fund
Washington, D.C. (December 16, 2020) – Recognizing the Adaptation Fund’s tangible and effective adaptation actions on the ground for the most vulnerable and its growing portfolio of work, several contributor governments came forward with new pledges to the Fund totaling nearly US$ 116 million.
Adaptation Fund Raises USD 116 Million in New Pledges – IISD
The Adaptation Fund received new pledges from several contributor governments totaling nearly USD 116 million. The pledges coincided with the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement and Climate Ambition Summit 2020….
IFAD and GCF scale-up action to improve life for millions of people and restore ecosystems in Africa’s Great Green Wall - Green Climate Fund
Millions of poor farmers living in the world’s most climate-impacted parts of the Sahel have cause for hope today because of their governments’ support for accelerating Africa’s Great Green Wall (GGW), an area covering 11 countries from Senegal and Mali in the West to Ethiopia and Djibouti in the East. A new investment programme is planned to support Sahelian governments through a partnership between the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in order to boost climate finance for these rural populations.
Great Green Wall receives over $14 billion to regreen the Sahel – France, World Bank listed among donors – UNCCD
The ambitious Great Green Wall for the Sahel and Sahara Initiative has received at least 14.326 billion United States Dollars in new funding. The funding will fast track efforts to restore degrading land, save biological diversity as well as create green jobs and build resilience of the Sahelian people. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, made the announcement at the just concluded One Planet Summit for Biodiversity on 11 January 2021, co-organized by France, the United Nations and World Bank.
New paper: Land resources opportunities for a growing prosperity in the Sahel- UNCCD
The negative image of the Sahel is a stranglehold on the great potential for development in the region. A more balanced narrative can trigger action for a productive Sahel and can be based on innovative approaches and a conducive policy environment to value natural resources.
UNGA adopts resolution on implementing UNCCD- UNCCD
On 21 December, 2020. the UN General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted a resolution on the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), forwarded for consideration by its Second Committee (Economic and Financial) at the conclusion of its session in December.
Canada to support land restoration in developing countries - UNCCD
Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification Ibrahim Thiaw welcomes the announcement that the Government of Canada is set to invest up to 55 million Canadian dollars in the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Fund. The Fund supports private sector projects in developing countries that use sustainable land management techniques to restore degraded ecosystems and adapt to green economies.
GEF-7 Corporate Scorecard
This publication outlines the GEF’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and provides a snapshot of progress toward operational goals, and in support of enhanced fiduciary oversight and safeguards of environmental projects.
Putting traditional knowledge to work for the planet -GEF7
GEF-convened civil society consultations focused on the need to prioritize voices of indigenous peoples and to integrate traditional knowledge into efforts to conserve biodiversity, address climate change, and combat other threats.
A new guide to sustainably manage wildlife in Central African production forests
In collaboration with the Forest is life scientific team from the Faculty Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech (University of Liège), Nature + published at the end of 2020 a book entitled "Development and implementation of a management plan de la fauna - Technical guide for managers of production forests in Central Africa ”.
The UNODC supports Gabon’s efforts to combat wildlife and forest crime -UNODC
UNODC, in order to strengthen the Gabonese authorities' judicial response capacity to this form of crime, organised a 4-day workshop (15-18 December) for members of the penal chain (law enforcement agents) and magistrates involved in the fight against wildlife and natural resource crime.
Engaging with the private sector for greater impact – thegef
Since the landmark Paris Agreement of 2015, there has been a dramatic increase in private sector interest and action related to climate change. In just five years, hundreds of companies have set targets to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and have outlined science-informed plans to achieve them.
The bold plan to save Africa's largest forest – BBC
The Congo Basin contains the world's second-largest rainforest, crucial for regulating the world's climate. Inside it, a plan to halt the forest's decline is bearing fruit.
Feedback on the Sino-African meeting organized by CTWPDA and ATIBT the 17th and 18th December on Sustainable Timber - ATIBT
The Sino-African Sustainable Timber Online B2B Meeting jointly organized by China Timber & Wood Products Distribution Association (CTWPDA) and the International Tropical Timber Association (ATIBT), was successfully held on 17-18th December.
CBFP Meeting - GIZ Side event: "Experiences of taking into account human rights in the processes of sustainable management of forests and protected areas in the COMIFAC area".
Organized on the sidelines of the 8th Meeting of the CBFP's Governing Council, the Side Event on "Experiences in taking into account human rights in the processes of sustainable management of forests and protected areas in the COMIFAC area" was an appropriate opportunity for the different programs, projects and non-governmental organizations involved in biodiversity conservation activities and protection of indigenous heritage, including REPALEAC, GIZ-BGF, GIZ-COMIFAC and GIZ-COMIFAC-BSB-Yamoussa to share success stories, key challenges and work sites they are facing.
Conserving Africa’s wildlife and wildlands through the COVID-19 crisis and beyond
Here, we describe how the crisis creates a perfect storm of reduced funding, restrictions on the operations of conservation agencies, and elevated human threats to nature. We identify the immediate steps necessary to address these challenges and support ongoing conservation efforts.
The Facilitator of the Federal Republic of Germany of the CBFP, Honorable Dr Christian Ruck wishes you the best for the year 2021!
In this festive season at the end of the year 2020, we are pleased to get back to you to express our appreciation, because from our interactions during this year 2020 that is drawing to a close, we have benefited from your diverse and rich contributions and proactive engagements that have enriched and enhanced our joint partnership. Together, we have moved forward and the successful implementation of the CBFP meetings in Kinshasa has confirmed this conviction. This is our joint success! Together, we have moved forward! Together, we have raised the standard of the Congo Basin and its peripheries.
Chad: renewed clashes between herders and farmers leave 11 dead in the South - koaci
Renewed clashes between herders and farmers have reportedly left 11 dead in southern Chad. Eleven people were killed in fresh clashes between herders and farmers in southern Chad, which is gripped by deadly conflicts between the two communities.
Side event ICCN-GIZ: Community conservation as a solution to the sustainability of conservation and local development actions: Standard-setting tools for PA management, the experience of ICCAs in the DRC
A side event was organized on Thursday 10 December, in room Panorama 3 of the Fleuve Congo Hotel in Kinshasa. Held on the sidelines of the 8th CBFP Council and its related meetings, the side event was entitled 'Community conservation as a possible solution to the sustainability of conservation and local development actions: Standard-setting tools for managing PAs, the experience of ICCAs in the DRC '. Moderated by Ms. Sarah Mam-bu, participants in the event discussed community conservation approaches that can help reconcile biodiversity conservation with local development.
Achievements in 2020 and prospects – 17th Board Meeting– CAFI
For the third time this year, over 80 people - donors, partner countries, agencies and technical experts – met online from November 9 to 13 for CAFI’s 17th Board meeting. Assessing progress and charting a path towards a new phase for CAFI phas...
Forestry and Environment Ministers of COMIFAC member countries resume hiring of COMIFAC statutory staff
Convened by the Cameroon Minister of Forests and Wildlife, Acting Chairman of the Central African Forests Commission (COMIFAC), with the support of the Federal Republic of Germany, Facilitator of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP), an extraordinary session of the Council of Forestry and Environment Ministers of the COMIFAC member countries was held on 10 December 2020 in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in the wings of the 8th CBFP Council meeting.
The Sahel G5 takes part in the 39th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) - sahel g5
The Executive Secretary of the Sahel G5 took part in the 39th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of the Niger Basin Authority (NBA), held on 1 December 2020 in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria, and chaired by Mr. M. Suleiman Adamu, Minister of Water Resources of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chairman of the Council of Ministers.
Sustainable forest management in the DRC: participatory approaches for resilient development of local communities
A side event entitled “Sustainable forest management in the DRC”, was held on 10 December 2020 within the framework of the 8th CBFP Council and its related meetings, with a view to exploring specific themes with stakeholders active in the field of biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management.
Community forestry in Cameroon to test other non-logging models – CIFOR
In 1994, Cameroon became the first Congo Basin country to adopt the concept of "community forestry" in its legal framework, allowing rural populations to secure land as a non-permanent forest domain for income-generating activities, based on a simple management plan validated by the administration. In conducting these activities, most of the community forests have opted for timber production, which is often favored by rural populations as the fastest route to significant income.
Blue economy/CCBC-F2BC: Ministers validate final report of the Blue Fund's preliminary study - Afriquenvironnementplus
From 1 to 2 December, the city of Brazzaville hosted an in-person and video conference, the 4th Steering Committee meeting of the Congo Basin Blue Fund’s preliminary study (F2BC) and ministerial segment during which the results of the study and the roadmap for the operation of the Blue Fund were presented for validation by the Environment ministers of the CCBC-F2BC countries.
Second edition of the special CBFP Civil Society College Day: sharing of success stories and looking forward to upcoming climate and biodiversity events
On 8 December 2020, the second edition of the special Civil Society College Day of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) was held at the Pullman Hotel in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Press release and minutes of the second session of the Tripartite Supervision and Arbitration Committee (CTSA) on the Ndjamena Anti-poaching tripartite agreement between Cameroon, CAR and CHAD
At the invitation of Mr. Jules Doret NDONGO, Minister of Forestry and Wildlife of Cameroon, Acting Chairman of the N’Djamena Anti-poaching Tripartite Agreement of (N'Djamena AT6LAB of 2013) between Cameroon, CAR and Chad, the expert meeting in view of the second session of the Tripartite Supervision and Arbitration Committee (CTSA) of the N’Djamena AT-LAB between Cameroon, CAR and Chad took place on 8 December 2020 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Climate: Civil society organizations from five Congo Basin member countries to speak with one voice at COP 26 - Environews-rdc
Members of civil society organizations in the Congo Basin sub-region met Wednesday 09 December in Kinshasa to discuss relevant strategies and resolutions that will go into their common position during the Conference of the Parties on the Climate next year in Glasgow, England.
Cameroon - MINFOF: First country in the sub-region to make the use of legal origin wood mandatory for its public contracts
ARTICLE 1. - (1) This decree shall lay down the terms and conditions for the use of wood of legal origin in public procurement. (2) It shall apply to public procurement initiated by the State and other legal persons governed by public law.
Fourth ordinary session of the Tri National Supervisory and Arbitration Committee (CTSA) of the Sangha Tri-National (TNS)
The fourth ordinary session of the Tri-national Supervisory and Arbitration Committee (CTSA) was organized on December 9 in Kinshasa, on the sidelines of the 8th Council meeting of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP). Please download the Final press release of the meeting…
Minutes of High-Level Political Dialogue between members of the CBFP Regional and the members of the Donor College
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo – 10 December 2020: A High-level dialogue was held between the members of the CBFP Regional College (member States, COMIFAC and ECCAS) and the Technical and Financial partners who belong to the CBFP Donor College.
World Bank Group Announcements to Support Countries in Taking Climate Action - Worldbank
WASHINGTON, Dec 10, 2020 — The World Bank Group today made several announcements in line with its ongoing support to help developing countries address climate change and adapt to its mounting impacts.
Report of the Ministerial Meeting - African Ministerial Conference on the Environment: Eighth Special Session. Ministerial Meeting
The ministerial meeting of the eighth special session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) was held on 4 December 2020. In view of the evolving global situation with regard to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the meeting was held online.